Heilige Martinus

In the western district of Kaalheide. Beautiful, original, monumental church with tower and roof turret. The history of the St. Joseph's Church in Kerkrade, Kapelweg 5, is closely linked to the development of the Kaalheide district. Kaalheide was a rural area until the 1920s, but due to industrialization in the region, the population of Kerkrade grew rapidly. In 1922, Kaalheide became an independent parish and it was decided to build a new church. The architect of the church was Hubert van Groenendael, a prominent architect from Roermond. He designed a neo-Romanesque church with a basilica floor plan. The church has a tower of 45 meters high. Construction of the church began in 1926 and was completed in 1928. The church was consecrated on September 11, 1928 by the bishop of Roermond, mgr. JJ Lemmens.

In the southern district of Heerlerbaan there was already the St. Joseph Church, but during the expansion of the district the need arose for a second church. Construction pastor Widdershoven commissioned architect Laurens Bisscheroux to design an intimate church. It took some effort to get the design, a church under an artificial hill, that had to blend in with the landscape, approved. The main contractor was Wilma Weert BV. On 13 November 1977 the church was blessed by dean P. Jochems. The church served as a forerunner of Bisscheroux's paintings. In 1984 the parish received permission from the DCPB to place a simple steel bell tower behind the church. Over the years the pond at the church was drained and the hill sounded. As a result the hill has become about a metre lower and the top is no longer on the roof but right next to it. After a thorough renovation of the church the pond can now be used again. At the same time, the roof of the large entrance was replaced by a glass roof, allowing more light to enter the church.

Replaced old church from 1917, which was demolished due to mine damage. Construction followed in 1957. Consecration 26 June 1960 by mgr. Moors. Important work in the oeuvre of JJ Fanchamps (1912-1982): hall church, built in concrete skeleton construction and Kunrade stone, covered by curved shell roofs. To the left of the front facade is a semi-detached tower. The side facades are externally provided with a loggia, to support the shell roof. Remarkable and innovative example of Roman Catholic church construction after the war, especially due to the wide span of the nave. The front facade contains reliefs by W. van Hoorn, representing the Holy Trinity, the four evangelists and the twelve apostles. As an important example of Roman Catholic church construction from the reconstruction period, the church was nominated in 2007 and later designated as a national monument in the context of the reconstruction top hundred.