An empty church in Heerlen, Netherlands, is set to receive a second life, with plans underway to convert the vacant building into a public swimming pool called Holy Water. The St. Francis of Assisi Church was last used as a space for religious activity in 2023, and Dutch architecture firms MVRDV and Zecc Architecten were tapped to design the renovation of the building. The plans will preserve the church’s historic features while giving it a new way to serve the community.

The project’s website says: “A swimming pool will be added to the nave, and current designs show the pool with an adjustable flooring to create different depths. If raised all the way for special events, the floor will hold a shallow layer of water to create the illusion of walking on water while reflecting the interior of the church.”

In the United States, the Catholic Church learned to remove all religious elements of a church once it is deconsecrated. There were stories of an early sale of a church in Portland where the the space was turned into a night club and the confessionals become “phone booths.” Could be apocryphal, but it is something to consider.

One person speculated that the pews would become pool-side benches, the ambo/pulpit a lifeguard stand, the confessionals changing booths, and the list went on.

It is sad that the facility is not longer needed or maintained as a church. But as a former competitive swimmer….