Bij 't Lam

The Krijtberg is the successor to a clandestine church that had been located in a house called Crijtberg since 1654 and was served by Jesuits. Construction of the current church began in 1881. The neo-Gothic church was designed by architect Alfred Tepe . Just as he had done with the Sint-Willibrorduskerk in Utrecht, Tepe had to build a large church on a relatively small surface area, this time between the existing canal houses.

In 1631, the city of Amsterdam gave permission to build a new church building on the site of the seven buildings. The church was put into use in 1633. The church is built on an irregular ground plan. The interior is rectangular in shape, surrounded by galleries that rest on Ionic and Tuscan columns . Doric columns support the roof structure. The pulpit dates from 1640.

As early as 1397 the Beguines had a small chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. On 17 October 1419, after the enlargement of the Beguinage, Matthias, titular Bishop of Biduane (a small town on the Adriatic), in his capacity as vicar-general of Frederic III, Bishop of Utrecht, solemnly consecrated a new chapel. This chapel, with its own burial ground, was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint John the Evangelist and the apostle Matthew. The church was badly damaged during the two great fires of 23 April 1421 and 25 May 1452. After its restoration, it was re-dedicated.