Bartholomeus

Side wing of the former convent of the Sisters of Charity, built in 1934. The main building on Koningsplein has been demolished and replaced by a new building.

In 1841, the first two Sisters of Charity arrived in Asten from Tilburg at the invitation of Father Bartholomeus Kemps. With very limited resources, they set up a charity in an old brewery opposite the vicarage: a place for the sick, the elderly and those in need, as well as a school for girls who would otherwise receive no education.

The work grew rapidly. The convent was extended several times, first on Kerkstraat and later on Koningsplein. In 1867, a new convent was built on the latter square, followed by a nursery school. As the local council was not generous with grants, the sisters initially worked for free, and the parish began building a new church in the late 19th century, the sisters often found themselves in financial difficulties. Consequently, from the end of the 19th century onwards, the sisters began taking in boarders. To this end, in 1908 they purchased the adjacent Villa Sint Jozef from the bankrupt Johan Bluijssen.

In 1934, a new wing of the convent was built on Kerkstraat, designed by architect Lambert de Vries. This wing has been preserved and is now a listed building. It has been converted into a block of flats called ‘Bartholomeus’. The façade features a statue of St Joseph, the sisters’ patron saint. The large convent complex on Koningsplein remained in use for elderly care until 1991, but was demolished in 2017. The Lievenhuis, an apartment block, now stands on that site.

Practical information

• The interior of the building is not open to the public, but the courtyard garden can be visited.