Floating church on the move
After more than 40 years of being moored on quay 526 near the Lillo bridge, the Kerkschip (Church Ship) St Jozef was recently towed to Antwerp’s Houtdok, close to the MAS Museum, where it will be more accessible to the public and churchgoers.
Antwerp’s Kerkschip has a new berth closer to the city centre
The Kerkschip was originally built by the Germans during the Second World War as a supply vessel for their submarine armada. The submarines had to cut off sea traffic lanes to and from the UK; Hitler ordered the building of concrete ships to supply the U-boats at sea.
French shipbuilders Saintrap and Brice were assigned to build the armed concrete ship in the Rotterdam shipyards. It was then towed, in 1944, to Antwerp, where the engines were built. Then came D-Day and the liberation of Antwerp, leaving the ship unused.
After serving as a bunkering barge, the ship was acquired by the Archdiocese of Mechelen in 1950, which transformed it into a religious and social centre for seamen. “The ship was completely rebuilt by barge crews and lightermen families, motivated by chaplain Henri Heylen,” remembers Marc De Wulf, a long-time volunteer with the Apostolaat der Schippers (Sailors’ Apostolate), the non-profit organisation that manages the Kerkschip.
Today, the Kerkschip houses two chapels with room for about 350 people, a multi-purpose hall, a restaurant and bar. “The Kerkschip has become the gathering place for ship’s crew members, skippers, dock workers taking a break and interested visitors,” says De Wulf.
A museum focusing on inland shipping and barges is on the top floor of the multi-purpose hall, and the Kerkschip was recognised by the government of Flanders as a protected heritage site last year.
The decision to move the concrete vessel to a berth nearer to the old port and the city centre was taken 18 months ago. “Forty-two years ago, when the ship was moored on quay 526, this was in the middle of nowhere,” explains Christian Herbosch, chairman of the Apostolate. “Later, the vessel became squeezed in-between terminals and port installations. We were happy that the Antwerp Port Authority suggested we shift the ship.”
Assisted by two tugboats, the non-motorised ship was brought to its new berth, a journey along the docks of the port witnessed by hundreds of curious onlookers. A team of boatmen moored the ship on quay 25, walking distance from the MAS.
“The Kerkschip is actually a floating parish church,” said Bishop Johan Bonny as the ship arrived. “And I’m convinced that at its new berth, closer to the city centre, its religious role will be enhanced.” The ship will re-open to the public on Easter Sunday.
