What unusual feature will the “Holy Water” church pool have?
In the city of Heerlen, the century-old Church of Saint Francis of Assisi is getting an unexpected second life — not as a museum or concert hall, but as a public swimming pool.
Dutch architecture firm MVRDV, in collaboration with Zecc Architecten, is transforming the decommissioned church into a surreal space called “Holy Water.” The pool will feature a movable floor, allowing visitors to “walk on water” or adjust the depth for a full swim.
The church’s historical interior — wooden walls, stained-glass windows, even the pulpit — will remain mostly intact. A glass shield will protect the original structure, while pews will become bar counters and the pulpit will turn into a lifeguard tower. The project combines preservation with reinvention, aiming to inspire similar projects across Europe.
Completion is expected in 2027, and if successful, “Holy Water” could set a bold new trend in adaptive architecture.
