Sint-Bavokerk

Sint-Bavokerk is the parish church of Wilrijk, a district of Antwerp, standing at Sint-Bavostraat 18. Its roots reach back to the early Middle Ages, making it one of the oldest places of worship in the area.

How far back does its history go?

The year 765 is regarded as the founding date of the Wilrijk parish, when a first, wooden chapel is believed to have stood on this site. A surviving document from 1003 confirms that the rights of patronage and tithe collection over the parish belonged to the Sint-Baafs Abbey in Ghent, tying the church's origins to one of the most important religious centers of medieval Flanders.

How did the building change over the centuries?

During the 11th or 12th century, the wooden chapel was replaced by a stone church built in the Romanesque style. In the course of the 15th century, a new Gothic structure took its place, though it suffered repeated damage over the following centuries. The heaviest blow came in 1579, when troops under William of Orange almost completely destroyed the church amid the religious and political conflicts of the period.

Reconstruction followed in 1610–1615. An even more thorough rebuilding took place in 1841–1842, when most of the older structure was demolished and a new church erected; the choir itself was only completed in 1849.

What has survived from the earlier building?

Despite these repeated rebuildings, the church retains its Gothic tower, possibly built in the early 16th century and restored in 1729. Standing 56 meters tall, the sandstone tower is divided into six stages and remains one of the most recognizable landmarks on Wilrijk's skyline. The church itself is an oriented brick building with three naves, an integrated west tower, and a three-sided choir.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Sint-Bavokerk located? At Sint-Bavostraat 18 in Wilrijk, a district that forms part of the city of Antwerp.

Is the building standing today the original medieval church? Not entirely. The main body of the church largely dates from the 1841–1842 rebuilding, while the Gothic tower is considerably older and has survived through the later reconstructions.

Why was the church rebuilt so many times? The most severe destruction occurred in 1579, when troops under William of Orange nearly leveled the Gothic church that stood at the time. Earlier versions of the building were also altered as the growing parish's needs changed over the centuries.

Where does the church's name come from? The parish was under the patronage of the Sint-Baafs (Saint Bavo) Abbey in Ghent, which is reflected in the church's dedication.

Can visitors see the tower up close? The six-stage, 56-meter tower is one of Wilrijk's most recognizable architectural features and is visible from many points across the district.