Sint-Amanduskerk

Sint-Amanduskerk is a neo-Gothic parish church standing on the village square of Erps, part of the municipality of Kortenberg in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant. The building is one of two main churches serving the combined village of Erps-Kwerps — the other being Sint-Petruskerk in neighboring Kwerps — and remains a defining landmark at the heart of the settlement.

What is the history behind this church?

A Romanesque church stood on this exact spot from the early Middle Ages, built in the tradition of the Scheldt Romanesque style associated with the Diocese of Cambrai, to which Erps belonged until the 16th century. The original building was likely dedicated to Saint John the Baptist and only later took on the dedication to Saint Amand. That earlier structure survived for centuries until 1706, when a lightning strike on the tower set off a fire that destroyed most of the church.

Reconstruction happened in stages. The side aisles were already added in 1773, designed by architect Laurent-Benoît Dewez, one of the leading figures of classical architecture in the Austrian Netherlands at the time. The classical apse dates from the end of the 18th century and is the oldest surviving part of the current structure. The main body of the church, built in neo-Gothic style, dates from the middle of the 19th century, with construction completed in 1864.

What can visitors see inside?

The church's interior holds furnishings older than the neo-Gothic building itself. The baptismal font dates from 1724, and the organ from 1752 — meaning both pieces either survived the 1706 fire or were preserved and carried through the later reconstruction phases. The baroque side altars were acquired in 1785, purchased from the dissolved priory of Groenendaal, a former Augustinian monastery once known as an important center of spirituality in the region.

Where exactly is it located?

The church stands on the village square of Erps, in the center of this part of the Kortenberg municipality, in the province of Flemish Brabant, not far from Brussels. Its position on the square has long made it a central point of reference for residents of Erps and the surrounding area.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sint-Amanduskerk a protected heritage site? The church is listed as a heritage object in the regional inventory of immovable heritage of Flanders, confirming its historical and architectural value for the region.

Why is the church dedicated to Saint Amand? The church now carries the name of Saint Amand, though historical sources suggest the original Romanesque building may have been dedicated to Saint John the Baptist before eventually taking on its current dedication.

What survived from the earliest version of the church? The building itself did not survive the 1706 fire, but some furnishings — such as the baptismal font from 1724 and the organ from 1752 — predate the current neo-Gothic construction, pointing to a continuity of liturgical use at this site despite the disaster.

What are the baroque side altars? They are altars purchased in 1785 from the dissolved Augustinian priory of Groenendaal, linking this small parish church to a significant spiritual center of the former Austrian Netherlands.