Religious heritage in Wassenaar – Keeping the church at the center
Religious buildings and their surroundings have been an important part of Wassenaar's village landscape for centuries. They tell us a story, provide a place for people to meet, and contribute to the quality of our living environment. Because the meaning and use of places of worship are changing, it is important to think together about the future of this heritage.
Why have a vision on religious heritage?
Together with church councils, heritage specialists, residents, and other stakeholders, the municipality has drawn up the vision document "Keeping the church at the center." This document outlines how we want to deal with the religious heritage in Wassenaar in a sustainable and careful manner.
This heritage is part of our history and contributes to a pleasant, recognizable, and livable environment. That is why a shared vision for the future is necessary: a vision that guides future choices about the preservation, use, repurposing, and possible sale of religious buildings.
What constitutes religious heritage?
Religious heritage encompasses the entire church biotope:
- places of worship (church, mosque, synagogue);
- associated elements such as cemeteries, fencing, rectories, and outbuildings;
- interiors, liturgical objects, and collections;
- stories, traditions, and archives.
All of this completes the historical, cultural, and social value of religious sites.
How do we move forward together?
The vision describes how the municipality will deal with future issues surrounding religious heritage and how these choices will be laid down in policy.
Important principles are:
- respect for heritage values;
- collaboration with owners and affected communities;
- space for appropriate new functions where necessary;
- preservation and future-proof use in balance.
The municipality plays a stimulating and facilitating role in this. The owners remain in control, but we work together toward a single goal: ensuring that our historic places of worship continue to hold a valuable place in society in the future.