Sint-Bernarduskerk

Sint-Bernarduskerk is the parish church of Tombeek, a village within the municipality of Overijse in Flemish Brabant. Standing on Kerkstraat and surrounded by its own walled cemetery, the church forms a clear landmark in this small settlement east of Brussels.

Where does Tombeek's parish history begin?

The story of a place of worship in Tombeek is said to go back to 1241, when knight Willem van Tombeke reportedly founded a chaplaincy dedicated to the Holy Cross and Saint Elizabeth, subordinate to the church of Overijse. Some historians question whether any chapel or church actually existed in Tombeek that early, and the sources remain inconclusive on the point. Whatever the truth of that early chaplaincy, Tombeek did not get a fully independent place of worship until the 1860s, when the parish dedicated to Saint Bernard was established.

When was the present church built?

Construction of the current building ran from 1860 to 1865, to a design by architect Louis Spaak. Alongside the church itself, a rectory and a school were built at the same time — a typical package of facilities for a newly created rural parish in that period. The one exception that continued to operate outside the new parish structure was the chapel at Ter Deck castle.

What does the church look like architecturally?

Sint-Bernarduskerk is a modest, single-nave brick church oriented toward the northeast. Its tower is built directly into the main structure, and the chancel ends in a three-sided enclosed choir. The building mixes neo-Romanesque and neo-Gothic elements, most visible in its round-arched windows. The restrained, unadorned exterior reflects the limited means of a small, newly founded rural parish.

What can be found inside?

Among the oldest furnishings is the pulpit, dating from the second half of the 17th century — considerably older than the church building itself, suggesting it was brought in from elsewhere. The church also holds a calvary group: the crucifix dates from the 19th century, while the accompanying figures of Mary and Saint John are older, dated to the 16th century. Together these pieces add a layer of history that predates the construction of the current church.

Is the church's organ a protected monument?

Yes. The organ of the Sint-Bernarduskerk has been listed as a protected monument since 21 August 1979. It is specifically the organ, rather than the church building as a whole, that carries this formal heritage protection, underlining its importance to the local musical heritage.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the church located? At Kerkstraat 1B in Tombeek, a village belonging to the municipality of Overijse in Flemish Brabant.

Who designed the building? Architect Louis Spaak, whose design was carried out between 1860 and 1865.

Which saint is the church dedicated to? Saint Bernard (of Clairvaux), giving the church its name, Sint-Bernarduskerk.

Is there a cemetery around the church? Yes, the church is surrounded by a cemetery enclosed by a brick wall.