Facebook

History of Afrika huis


In November 1994, the Afrika Huis located at the Van Ostadestraat 270 in the city of Amsterdam was officially open by the late Rt. Rev. Henny Bomers, C.M, the then Bishop of Haarlem. This complex building consists of a church building, residential apartments and a number of halls for diverse social and pastoral activities.

In its inceptions this project was termed the Chaplaincy for Africans and it was situated at the Govert Flickstraat 191. The name was changed to Afrika Huis by Rev. Fr. Ton Storcken, the Provincial Superior of the Dutch province of the Society of Africa Missions because the society aims at making Africans feel more at home in the Netherlands.

This project began in 1980 by Fr. Francis Thoolen who after other appointments also became the first Superior of Afrika Huis. When the work became too demanding for one person, the society asked Anthony te Molder, a man with a lot of African experience to join the Chaplaincy.

After Fr. Thoolen left the scene in November 1985, others like Fr. John Brakel and Fr. Ton Storcken stepped in to take care of the spiritual activities of the then chaplaincy. The Chaplaincy was occupied mostly with social work among Africans living in Amsterdam and other parts of Holland.

After some time the SMA widened its original vision from a Chaplaincy into a Rectorate in order to cater for African immigrants in a parish atmosphere where access to both new arrivals and those already settled can be attend. In order to achieve this purpose, the SMA approached Rt. Rev. Peter k. Sarprong, Kumasi Diocese to send an expert to evaluate the work for them. Msgr. Amoako Edusei the then Vicar General was sent by his Bishop to evaluate and make recommendations.

However, Augustine Bio of Kumasi diocese made a follow up visit. It is worth mentioning that others have also moved in to help the place in diverse ways; late Fr. Marius Brands (C.S.SP), Fr. Henk Zengers (SMA), Fr. Henk Janssen, Fr. Felix Amofa, Fr. Gerard Timmermans (SMA as a seminarian), Mr Charles Verbrugge, Mr Richard Boamah, Mr. Emmanuel Freeman, Mr. Augustine Tandoh, Mr. Freeman, Ms. Naana Wadie, Ms. Afua Apau and many other co-workers.

In accordance to Fr. Amoako Edusei's recommendation, in 1993 the Bishops Conference of Ghana sent Fr. Edmund Akordor to assist the SMA in the apostolate. Fr. Joseph van Uum was also appointed Bursar of the Afrika Huis in 1994. In 1995 came the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA) congregation in the persons of Rev. Srs. Eileen Cummins (Irish) and Fidelia Anumba (Nigeria) to help the SMA to take care of the needs of the African Women.

In 1995, Fr. Francis Thoolen left and Fr. Gerard Buurman was appointed the superior of the Afrika Huis. Fr. Edmund Akordor left for further studies and others like Fr. Ton Storcken, Fr. Felix Amofa, Fr. Joseph van Uum and Fr. Gerard Noom came in to help take care of the activities of the All Saint's Church; a growing dependable community.

In 1997, Fr. Felix Rex Amofa was appointed Superior and Coordinator of the Afrika Huis. In October of the same year Fr. Jude Eduafo Ampah was sent by the Bishop's Conference of Ghana as the new Pastor for the Church

However, Sister Fidelia Anumba left Afrika Huis in 1999 after completing her tenure, also with Sister Eileen Cummins. In the year 2000, Father Felix Amofa departed from Afrika Huis and he was replaced by Father Gerard Timmermans, who presently is the Rector and Superior of Afrika Huis.

In July 2004 came two reverend Sisters; sister Bernadette Kofitse (Ghanaian) and sister Nora Lucey (Irish) to continue their missionary work with SMA in Afrika Huis. They were very much needed in the community more especially in matters that involved women issues. In August 2004 Father Paul Mensah came to be a permanent staff of Afrika Huis. He had been a visiting priest to Afrika Huis for the past two years. He succeeded Father Jude Eduafo Ampah who completed his tenure of service in Afrika Huis with SMA.

In January 2006, Father Paul left Afrika Huis to continue his missionary work in Africa. In June 2006, SMA stopped with her social services (Huiskamer) at Afrika Huis, which left the building complex to be mostly for pastoral services. In July 2006, sister Nora Lucey also completed her Missionary work at Afrika Huis. She left for Ireland, her home country, to continue with her service to the church. In October of the same year (2006), Reverend Father Edward Muge from Nigeria joined SMA service in Afrika Huis and assumed the position of the pastor of All Saint's Church. On the 4th of November of the following year (2007), A send-off party was organised for Sister Bernadette Kofitse to commemorate the completion of her tenure at Afrika Huis and departure to Afrika.

On the 30th of November 2008, Afrika Huis was relocated from Van Ostadestraat 270 to Admiraal de Ruijterweg 408 (Bos en Lommer). De move was orchestrated by SMA (The founding father of Afrikahuis), with the intention of reducing costs associated with the management of their numerous properties.