Sint-Martinuskerk

Sint-Martinuskerk is the parish church of Melsbroek, a village within the municipality of Steenokkerzeel in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant. Standing on Vanheylenstraat, it has served as the religious heart of this small community near Brussels for almost nine hundred years.

How old is this church?

The first mention of a parish church in Melsbroek dates back to 1134. At that time, patronage rights over the church belonged to the Sint-Goedele chapter in Brussels, one of the region's most important ecclesiastical institutions. The original building was Romanesque in style, and its tower, built in the 12th century, was unusually placed above the priest's choir rather than at the traditional entrance side.

What changed during the Middle Ages?

In 1304 the church underwent a significant expansion: a new nave with two side aisles was added. This gave the building a three-aisled layout typical of larger parish churches of the period and allowed it to accommodate a growing congregation.

What damage did the religious conflicts cause?

The second half of the 16th century brought serious damage to Sint-Martinuskerk. The religious conflicts that shook the Low Countries at the time did not spare Melsbroek, and the church suffered heavy destruction. The choir, the most severely affected part, was only rebuilt around 1600. The tower needed attention as well: in 1729 it underwent a thorough restoration that returned it to its former condition.

Where did the current classicist building come from?

The most dramatic transformation took place between 1780 and 1781. Both the old choir and the nave were demolished and replaced by a new classicist structure. The historic tower was incorporated into the new east facade, an unusual architectural solution in itself. This reconstruction also reversed the church's orientation: the building now faces west, whereas its original medieval layout, following tradition, faced east. The new structure was built from locally quarried sandstone and takes the form of a pseudo-basilica.

What can visitors see inside?

The interior of Sint-Martinuskerk holds several notable pieces. A baroque side altar on the south side of the church displays a painting of the Charity of Saint Martin, dated 1656, directly referencing the church's patron saint. The church also houses three reliquaries, among them relics associated with Saint Ursula and the eleven thousand virgins from her medieval hagiographic legend.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the church located? On Vanheylenstraat in Melsbroek, part of the municipality of Steenokkerzeel in Flemish Brabant, close to Brussels.

How far back does its history go? The parish is first recorded in 1134, though the church owes its current classicist appearance to the 1780–1781 rebuilding.

What is the oldest surviving part of the building? The 12th-century tower, later incorporated into the new classicist east facade.

What relics are kept in the church? Three reliquaries, including relics of Saint Ursula and the eleven thousand virgins.