The Neo-Gothic Gouwekerk was built between 1902 and 1904 based on a design by architect C.P.W. Dessing. The church was built to replace St. Joseph’s Church, which had previously stood on this site but was demolished in the late nineteenth century.
The Gouwekerk served as a Catholic church until the 1970s. The Catholic congregation moved to Gouda-Noord, leaving the church vacant. In 1979, the church was purchased by the Johan Maasbach World Mission. In July 2018, the last service was held in the adjacent rectory; by that time, the church building had not been used for services for several years. In July 2018, the church was sold to a private investor.
Following a thorough restoration in 2023, during which the entire floor of the church was replaced, De Gouwekerk has, since March 2024, taken on a new and broader role as a unique venue for gatherings, concerts, exhibitions, and events. On Sundays, Gouds Licht once again holds church services at De Gouwekerk. Thanks to this new use, De Gouwekerk has a bright future once again, and its doors are frequently open to residents of Gouda and tourists alike.
