Late afternoon sunshine streamed through the windows of Our Lord in the Attic (Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder) as I continued my exploration of this amazing hidden 17th Century Catholic Church in Amsterdam.

light through a window

Last time I shared photos from my trusty phone of the beautiful interior of this unique hidden church. (You can view them here.)

Today we will leave the lavish sanctuary and exquisite old organ and enter my favorite part of the museum: the former living quarters of priest Ludovicus Reiniers and his household staff who moved into the Velvet Burgwal (original name for this building) in 1739.

Dutch wall lamp

With nearly all furnishings and exhibits removed for an extensive renovation, this part of Our Lord in the Attic is a deeply serene and quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of the city of Amsterdam.

I love the soft winter light of Amsterdam, and it was on glorious display as it filtered through the old, glass, multi-paned windows and settled into warm puddles on the aged wooden planks of the floor.

Our Lord in the Attic confessional

In this quiet setting it was so easy to picture the maid humming to herself as she swept and dusted the staircase after dozens of parishioners clomped up and down the steps to and from the worship service.

Or perhaps the priest hunched over a desk cluttered with books, parchment and fountain pens as he prepared next week’s sermon.

I wondered what sort of furniture they had back then. Would the bed have been piled with a thick down comforter? Would the walls have been lined with bookshelves or big wooden wardrobes?

I would’ve loved a big, squishy chair pulled up to one of those splendid old windows, reading for hours in glorious solitude.

old Dutch windows

I crept precariously down a particularly narrow and twisting staircase and found the kitchen, a delightful place flooded with soft light and lined with blue and white tiles.

Isn’t it so homey? I can easily picture myself at that old wooden table, sharing a cup of tea and plate of cookies with a dear friend.

Our Lord in the Attic kitchen area

The tiles lining the walls are aged and chipped now, but I love the country scenes depicted: fishing, swinging, walking with a pet.

I wanted to tie on an apron, haul out mixing bowls and start cooking .

Our Lord in the Attic kitchen

Leaving that splendid old kitchen I entered a light-filled hallway and bid farewell to this most interesting museum. A place rich in history and personalities providing a fascinating glimpse into a bygone world.

lighted doorway

I wrapped my scarf tightly around my neck and headed back into the blustering Amsterdam weather.

bicycle on canal bridge

It was time to go home.

What do you picture yourself doing in an old house like this?