Celebrating a holiday in a church: inspiration & encounters

Exploring Friesland? Experience local Frisian life while relaxing in a historic setting? You can do so in Jirnsum, one of Friesland's oldest villages, in the municipality of Leeuwarden.

The Mauritius Church (1877) is located in the heart of Friesland: in Jirnsum. A ribbon and mound village nestled between Leeuwarden, Sneek, Heerenveen, and the boating village of Grou. It is close to the nature reserves of Sneekermeer, Pikmeer, De Alde Feanen National Park , and Greidhoeke , a centuries-old cultural landscape with rich mound villages. Jirnsum lies on the Boarn River, near the old (and now vanished) Middelsee, which flowed into Friesland from the Wadden Sea.

Our church was slated for demolition after seven years of vacancy; the last service was held in 2010. In 2018 and 2019, we began building a house in the nave and B&B guest rooms in the church tower.

We're famous for our excellent beds—we didn't skimp on them. After all, you spend a large part of your life sleeping on your stomach, back, or side. You can book a room directly on our website www.mauritiuskerk.nl Book through our own booking system – you'll always get the best price. Our church studios each have a separate, fully equipped kitchen. Plates, cutlery, a Nespresso machine: everything is provided. The De Kraak apartment even has a dishwasher in the place where the centuries-old organ once stood.

Most of our guests stay for several days at our church—a growing number even stay a whole week or even 10 days! Long XL weekends (Fri-Mon) or midweek stays (Mon-Fri) are popular. In autumn and winter, we also regularly welcome business travelers who stay with us for just one night.

Besides their own kitchen and bathroom, our church studios have their own picnic table and seating in our church garden. You can also read in a hammock or enjoy a beer on a comfortable lounge chair. Feel free to bring in the cushions from the old church chairs.

Our guests often tell us how much they enjoy the tranquility our church exudes. They also find it refreshing. They also rave about how their stay "recharges" them creatively. They rave about the comfort of the modern rooms and the authentic atmosphere of the building.

In both church studios, you'll find information folders with tips on local restaurants we frequent and consider worth sharing with our guests. We also enjoy museums, films, and cultural outings, so we share those with our guests—and on the Mauritius Church's social media channels.

In our church library—the living room of De Kraak—you'll find a collection of books. Naturally, they're about Friesland and the Netherlands, with plenty of tourist tips. But also about burnout and how to find joy in life and work again. The bookcase also specializes in China, Ukraine, and Russia—because we've spent a large part of our personal and professional lives there.

Relax, enjoy, and marvel at all the beauty Friesland has to offer: culture, nature, space, delicious local food, and much more. Welcome!

"A fantastic B&B to stay at. Two beautiful apartments have been created in the old church. Friendly, hospitable hosts. Sustainable approach (the church was preserved by this B&B!), delicious eco-friendly soap, comfortable bed, beautiful surroundings. Bike rental was arranged for us, and a delicious, extensive and varied breakfast was available to order. All in all, highly recommended." Eveline from Utrecht, Google reviews, November 2024

A little about us

We—Bonnie, Charles, & Yara—bought the church in 2019. It had been vacant since 2010; the demolition permit had already been applied for. We thought it was a real shame; you don't just demolish a village icon: what is Jirnsum without the church spire that you can see from afar across the meadows?!

We decided to build and renovate as circularly and sustainably as possible, retaining authentic elements of this Dutch Reformed Church wherever possible. This way, you can enjoy the beautiful, original church pillars from the comfort of your bed.

From the bare church garden—with the warmth of the south on your face—we are gradually transforming it into a truly wild church garden where you can relax and enjoy yourself. After a few years of trying, you suddenly see butterflies and other insects floating everywhere again. Under the grass, it's become a lively worm garden :-) Guests can also pick free tea (mint, lemon) or herbs (bay leaf, thyme, etc.) for cooking.

Are you also a gardening enthusiast and do you have any good tips? We're always interested. Helping out in the garden is also welcome—we also have guests who find it relaxing to roll up their sleeves. Just ask us. Anything goes, nothing is required.

You can also follow us and our church adventures on Facebook via @Mauritiuskerk B&B Studioos Jirnsum and on Instagram @Mauritiuskerk_Friesland.

By spending your holiday at our church, you also support the preservation and maintenance of our monumental church building in Friesland, designed by the renowned Frisian architect and social entrepreneur Jacob Nijdam, born and raised in Jirnsum.

See you soon! CU! Auf Wiedersehen! Avert pronto! До зустрічі! Poka! Oant Sjen!

This is our own website with the best price. Click here for our accommodations or ask us your question.