The Augustinian Church, better known in Maastricht as the "Awwe Stiene", was completed in 1659 with financial support from the Commander of the Alde Biesen, Hendrik Huyn van Geleen, and the city of Maastricht. That is why their coats of arms are also displayed on the facade at Kesselskade.
The first monastery of the Augustinian order was located a few metres southeast of the current church, close to the river Maas. The monastery chapel was even partly built over the city wall. Nothing remains of this first church; the foundations of the monastery and the chapel probably disappeared when the Maastricht-Liege canal was dug in the 19th century.
The church was dedicated to the "most powerful and supreme God, Blessed Mary and the holy bishops Augustine and Hubertus", as can be read above the front door.
The "Awwe Stiene" was used for various purposes after it was confiscated during the French occupation: theatre, school for the city's poor, exhibition hall, rehearsal room, disco, playground, vegetable Markt and, in the years 1920-1968, parish church dedicated to St. Joseph. For this purpose the church building was restored in 1920 and a new chancel was added. In memory of this, a chronogram was bricked into the side wall.
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