Saint Joseph Church

In 1685, the church council purchased a former dye works on Waterstraat and began the installation of a Roman Catholic clandestine church. It was not until 1688 that the church was put into use. The building could not be properly maintained, resulting in it being demolished in 1715 due to its dilapidated state and then rebuilt. In 1716, the building was put into use. Its appearance still did not resemble that of a church. Between 1780 and 1814, a beautiful interior was added with galleries on columns and a stucco ceiling. These elements are still present in the building. In 1837, the clandestine church was renovated, and a neo-classical facade was constructed under the direction of city architect A.J.F. Cuypers.
In 1890, the clandestine church closed after the large neo-Gothic Church of the Assumption of Mary on Ginnekenstraat was completed.
This is the only Roman Catholic clandestine church still recognizable as such in Breda. The building is now in use as Theater De Avenue.

Wim Blankers