The Convent of St. Agnes was founded at the end of the 14th century. The convent was dedicated to St. Agnes. The sisters lived according to the Rule of St. Augustine. The convent was adjacent to another convent, the Convent of St. Mary Magdalene, also located in the area of today’s Nieuwe Markt (see image). The Gothic chapel was likely built in the mid-15th century. The Agnietenconvent consisted of a cloistered courtyard, around which the buildings were situated: a chapel with a sacristy, the convent, a brewery, service buildings, and stables. Things did not go very well for this convent, which was described by one of its own priests in 1515 as this poor and miserable, wretched convent.
After the Reformation, the chapel was initially used as a workshop for the city’s carpet weavers. In 1653, the pawnshop, or bank of loans, was established in the building. Until 1924, residents of Gouda were able to borrow money here against collateral. Starting in 1924, the building served various purposes, including as a labor exchange, food distribution center, emergency post office, and art center.[5] Over time, the various buildings of the convent were demolished. In the 1960s and 1970s, the chapel stood empty for years and was also slated for demolition. Between 1972 and 1975, the building was restored. Today, it serves as a venue for various cultural activities, such as exhibitions and receptions.
The Agnieten Chapel is also available for rent:
Facilities: 100 chairs and 12 display boards, a mobile bar, a small kitchen with a refrigerator and a coffee maker, and a sound system.
