Heilige Drievuldigheidskerk

Heilige Drievuldigheidskerk (Holy Trinity Church) is a parish church in Berchem, a district of Antwerp, standing at the junction of Bacchuslaan and Wapenstilstandlaan. Built between 1931 and 1933 to a design by architect Gustaaf Van Meel, it stands out as one of the region's rare examples of religious architecture blending the austerity of Neue Sachlichkeit (New Objectivity) with decorative Art Deco touches.

What does the building look like?

The church faces south and rests on a reinforced concrete structure clad in yellow brick, a material commonly used in interwar Belgian modernist buildings. The geometric simplicity typical of 1930s design is softened by Art Deco details: stylised lines, restrained ornamentation, and a carefully composed arrangement of window openings. A bell tower rises above the main volume of the church, forming a recognisable landmark among the surrounding residential streets.

What is worth seeing inside and out?

The front facade's main feature is a set of stained-glass windows depicting the Holy Trinity, a direct reference to the church's dedication (Heilige Drievuldigheid means Holy Trinity in Dutch). The coloured glass casts the muted, atmospheric light typical of religious modernist buildings from this period. It's worth noting how the architect combined a functional concrete structure with traditional religious symbolism, making the building an interesting example of transitional architecture between the classic parish church and the modern public building.

Why is it worth a visit?

The church remains an active parish serving the local Berchem community. For anyone interested in 20th-century architecture, it offers a chance to see how modernist styles intersected with local building traditions in interwar Antwerp. Its location in the quiet, residential district of Berchem makes a visit easy to combine with a walk through the surrounding streets, away from the busier tourist center of Antwerp.

Where exactly is it located?

The church stands at the intersection of Bacchuslaan and Wapenstilstandlaan in Berchem, a municipality that forms part of the city of Antwerp in the Flemish province of Antwerp. Its geographic coordinates are approximately 51.2027°N, 4.4437°E.

Frequently asked questions

When was Heilige Drievuldigheidskerk built? The church was built between 1931 and 1933.

Who was the architect? The design was created by Gustaaf Van Meel.

What architectural style is it built in? It is an example of Neue Sachlichkeit (New Objectivity) architecture with Art Deco elements, combining a functional reinforced concrete structure with decorative details typical of the 1930s.

What do the stained-glass windows on the facade depict? The front stained-glass windows depict the Holy Trinity, referencing the church's dedication.

Is the church still used for religious services? Yes, it remains an active parish church serving the Berchem community in Antwerp.

What material was used for the facade? The facade is clad in yellow brick over a reinforced concrete structure.