Everything has a gold edge at the Walloon Church
Many churches are struggling with declining visitors, but the Walloon Church on Noordeinde is actually flourishing. Led by sexton Tristan Marcillaud, the church has become a vibrant place, combining culture, champagne and a touch of French charm.
DATE
25 February 2025
TEXT
Jasper Gramsma
IMAGE
Brian Mul
Everything has a gold edge at the Walloon Church
Many churches are struggling with declining visitors, but the Walloon Church on Noordeinde is actually flourishing. Led by sexton Tristan Marcillaud, the church has become a vibrant place, combining culture, champagne and a touch of French charm.
While most places of worship are struggling with shrinking numbers, the Walloon Church on Noordeinde is flourishing like never before. The secret could well be the champagne that flows freely there. “We remain Huguenots, Protestants, but we are a generous church. That includes a gold edge – life should be celebrated,” says Tristan Marcillaud (44), the dandyish sexton.
Although, sexton? “I do indeed prepare the psalm lists on Sunday, but I do much more than that. Since I started a few years ago, I’ve set up the entire programming with concerts, film nights and recently also 'Champagne Weddings'. Actually, I’m a location manager.”
Marcillaud had been living above the church for some time before he was “called”. "I saw that empty hall and thought, unseen makes unloved. A church should be a place of rituals and gathering. We have expanded those functions with our francophone cultural activities. It’s no coincidence our slogan is C'est plus qu'une église, it’s more than a church. That’s the new impetus," he says enthusiastically.
Snowball effect
Inspired by the Sunday jazz concerts followed by the almost daily opera and classical musical performances that arose spontaneously during the corona period, the half-Frenchman started to come up with more ideas. “There was a snowball effect, many people suddenly knew the Walloon Church. That gave us a taste for it, and we started experimenting,” says Marcillaud.
“If you want to enjoy the French language and culture, this is the place to be”
“There is still plenty of music, such as the Candlelight Concerts with classically performed pop repertoires. And recently, we have also started showing French-language film classics. You can enjoy cinema while savouring an apéro dînatoire in a bistro setting. If you want to enjoy the French language and culture, you should visit us”
And then of course there is the champagne, which plays a sparkling role at almost every event, so also at the Champagne Weddings. “The Walloon Church has always been a rich church. In the past, Rolls-Royces would be parked at the door on Sundays. We also want to give that luxury, that bit of gold, to our marriages, complete with the right colour scheme,” explains the sexton, who himself got married here.
The bridal couple are welcomed with a relaxing glass of champagne in the Louise de Coligny room, named after the fourth wife of William of Orange, the founder of the Walloon Church in The Hague. After the ceremony, there is another toast with – once again – champagne.And if the party takes place here – the church can accommodate 200 to 250 guests – the royal bubbly flows abundantly.
Love is love
The fact that everyone is welcome to marry in the Walloon Church makes it exceptional. “Whether from France or The Hague, hetero and homo, in the eyes of the church and in the eyes of the law,” Marcillaud summarises. “Love is love, the most important thing there is. So gay couples can also have a service with a blessing, the family bible and all the trimmings. I have personally fought for that.”
In his liberal approach to throwing the doors of the Walloon Church wide open, the pastor supported Marcillaud. “When I came up with yet another idea, he said, 'Sometimes it’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission.' As rebellious as I am, I didn't need to be told twice! And it works: as soon as I roll out the carpet, people rush in.”
text Jasper Gramsma image Brian Mul
While most places of worship are struggling with shrinking numbers, the Walloon Church on Noordeinde is flourishing like never before. The secret could well be the champagne that flows freely there. “We remain Huguenots, Protestants, but we are a generous church. That includes a gold edge – life should be celebrated,” says Tristan Marcillaud (44), the dandyish sexton.
Although, sexton? “I do indeed prepare the psalm lists on Sunday, but I do much more than that. Since I started a few years ago, I’ve set up the entire programming with concerts, film nights and recently also 'Champagne Weddings'. Actually, I’m a location manager.”
Marcillaud had been living above the church for some time before he was “called”. "I saw that empty hall and thought, unseen makes unloved. A church should be a place of rituals and gathering. We have expanded those functions with our francophone cultural activities. It’s no coincidence our slogan is C'est plus qu'une église, it’s more than a church. That’s the new impetus," he says enthusiastically.
Snowball effect
Inspired by the Sunday jazz concerts followed by the almost daily opera and classical musical performances that arose spontaneously during the corona period, the half-Frenchman started to come up with more ideas. “There was a snowball effect, many people suddenly knew the Walloon Church. That gave us a taste for it, and we started experimenting,” says Marcillaud.
“If you want to enjoy the French language and culture, this is the place to be”
“There is still plenty of music, such as the Candlelight Concerts with classically performed pop repertoires. And recently, we have also started showing French-language film classics. You can enjoy cinema while savouring an apéro dînatoire in a bistro setting. If you want to enjoy the French language and culture, you should visit us”
And then of course there is the champagne, which plays a sparkling role at almost every event, so also at the Champagne Weddings. “The Walloon Church has always been a rich church. In the past, Rolls-Royces would be parked at the door on Sundays. We also want to give that luxury, that bit of gold, to our marriages, complete with the right colour scheme,” explains the sexton, who himself got married here.
The bridal couple are welcomed with a relaxing glass of champagne in the Louise de Coligny room, named after the fourth wife of William of Orange, the founder of the Walloon Church in The Hague. After the ceremony, there is another toast with – once again – champagne.And if the party takes place here – the church can accommodate 200 to 250 guests – the royal bubbly flows abundantly.
Love is love
The fact that everyone is welcome to marry in the Walloon Church makes it exceptional. “Whether from France or The Hague, hetero and homo, in the eyes of the church and in the eyes of the law,” Marcillaud summarises. “Love is love, the most important thing there is. So gay couples can also have a service with a blessing, the family bible and all the trimmings. I have personally fought for that.”
In his liberal approach to throwing the doors of the Walloon Church wide open, the pastor supported Marcillaud. “When I came up with yet another idea, he said, 'Sometimes it’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission.' As rebellious as I am, I didn't need to be told twice! And it works: as soon as I roll out the carpet, people rush in.”
