Sint-Hubertuskerk

Sint-Hubertuskerk is the neo-Gothic parish church of the Belgian village of Elewijt, standing in the village center on the Tervuursesteenweg. While the building's current appearance dates from the mid-19th century, it holds a much older history reaching back to the Middle Ages.

How did the church get its current appearance?

The building received its present neo-Gothic form during a reconstruction in 1847, the same year in which it was consecrated in its current shape. The rebuild, however, did not erase everything that came before it: the original Romanesque choir tower was integrated into today's west facade. As a result, a 12th-century sandstone tower still survives within the walls of the church — evidence of a much older origin for this place of worship than the neo-Gothic facade alone would suggest.

Why is Elewijt associated with the cult of Saint Hubert?

The church's dedication is no coincidence. As early as the beginning of the 16th century, Elewijt was already a well-known pilgrimage site, where people came to invoke Saint Hubert against rabies and madness — afflictions traditionally linked to bites from rabid animals. That tradition survives today in living form: since 1603, an annual Saint Hubert procession has passed through the village. It features riders, military drummers, and hunting horn players, and concludes with a mass and the blessing of animals.

What is protected as heritage here?

Protection extends beyond the building itself. The church, together with the surrounding square and its organ, are all protected monuments. The organ — housed in an oak case built in the rococo style — has been protected in its own right since 1979, underlining its particular artistic and historical value independent of the church's own status.

What restoration work has taken place in recent years?

The church underwent restoration in 2007. Conservation efforts also extended to the historic organ: in 2010, it was announced that Geert Bourgeois, the Flemish minister for immovable heritage, had granted a subsidy of 144,645 euros toward restoring the protected instrument — a sign of how much regional authorities value preserving this part of the church's furnishings.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the church located? In the center of the village of Elewijt in Belgium, on the Tervuursesteenweg.

What is the church's floor plan? The building follows a Latin cross ground plan, typical of cruciform churches.

What is the oldest surviving part of the original structure? The Romanesque sandstone tower dating from the 12th century, which was incorporated into the west facade during the 1847 reconstruction.

Are traditional celebrations still held at the church? Yes — the annual Saint Hubert procession, observed continuously since 1603, combines historical elements (riders, drummers, hunting horn players) with a mass and the blessing of animals.

Can the organ be seen or heard by visitors? The organ, with its rococo oak case, has been a protected monument since 1979 and was restored with the help of a regional subsidy granted in 2010.