Sacred Monuments in Belgium

Sint-Jan-de-Doperkerk

Bentille

Sint-Jan-de-Doperkerk is a modest church in the hamlet of Sint-Jan-in-Eremo, part of the municipality of Sint-Laureins in the Belgian province of East Flanders, right next to the Dutch border. The building sits at the edge of the Meetjesland polders, surrounded by quiet rural land, and has served as the spiritual heart of this small community for centuries. How old is this parish? The parish of Sint-Jan is first mentioned in written records as early as 1307, and a first church was most likely built around the same time. The area has always been exposed to water — the surrounding polders meant that flooding was a recurring threat to local buildings, the church included. Why has the church been rebuilt so many times? The building's history is essentially a story of resisting the elements. The first church was destroyed by a flood in 1375–1376, and it wasn't rebuilt until the early 16th century. The next blow came at the end of the 16th century, when the church was damaged during the religious conflicts that shook the Low Countries at the time. In 1652 the building was destroyed again, this time by flood and storm combined. A new church went up in 1682, but that same year it too was damaged by flooding. Only after repair works carried out in 1683–1684 was the church finished in a form close to what stands today. This chain of disasters and rebuildings means that the current church, while dating in its present form from the late 17th century, is really just the latest link in a much older, medieval tradition of worship on this spot. What does the church look like today? Sint-Jan-de-Doperkerk is a single-nave building, with an interior blending Baroque and Rococo elements — a style typical of many Flemish village churches rebuilt in that period. Its modest, compact structure fits naturally into the surrounding polder landscape, and together with the adjoining cemetery it forms a coherent historical ensemble. What is the Saint John pilgrimage in Sint-Jan-in-Eremo? The church no longer functions as an ordinary parish church but as a pilgrimage chapel, which makes it a distinctive stop in the Meetjesland region. Around 24 June, the feast day of Saint John the Baptist, the church's patron, traditional pilgrimages take place, with blessings given using the relic of Saint John kept inside. In the present day, these are accompanied by a procession stopping at seven stations, each one dedicated to prayers for specific intentions — a custom that blends older folk devotion with a tradition still actively kept alive. Why is it worth visiting Sint-Jan-in-Eremo? For visitors exploring Meetjesland, the church acts as a landmark in the polder landscape and offers a glimpse of how a small rural parish survived centuries of floods, storms, and rebuilding. It's also a good excuse for a walk or bike ride through the flat countryside typical of this part of East Flanders, close to the Dutch border. Frequently asked questions Is Sint-Jan-de-Doperkerk still an active parish church? Not in the traditional sense — today it serves as a pilgrimage chapel, though for centuries it was the parish church of Sint-Jan-in-Eremo. How many times has the church been destroyed and rebuilt? It was seriously damaged by floods and storms at least three times (1375–1376, 1652, 1682), and once during the religious conflicts of the late 16th century. When is the best time to visit? Around 24 June, when the annual Saint John pilgrimage takes place, with a procession and the blessing with the relic.

Sint-Trudokerk

Peer

Sint-Trudokerk is the parish church of Grote-Brogel, one of the villages that make up the municipality of Peer in the Belgian province of Limburg. Standing on Pastorijstraat, it has served as the religious heart of this small community for centuries. The present neo-Gothic building is actually the third version of the church on this site, and its story reaches back to the Middle Ages. What is the history behind this church? The predecessor of today's building was a brick church built in the so-called Kempen Gothic style, a form typical of the Kempen region straddling Belgium and the Netherlands. Only the tower of that earlier structure survives, dating from around 1500 — though records already mention an altar dedicated to Our Lady on this spot in 1400, suggesting an even older church once stood here. The tower itself has a dramatic past. On 30 April 1641 it was struck by lightning, and the spire burned completely. It was rebuilt two years later, in 1643, to a design by Jan van Hinsbergen. The rest of the old church lasted much longer, surviving until the end of the 19th century: in 1896 it was demolished and replaced by the larger neo-Gothic building that visitors see today. Where does the church's name come from? The church is dedicated to Saint Trudo (Sint-Trudo), a medieval missionary and the founder of the abbey in Sint-Truiden, the town that took its name from him. The patronage rights over the Grote-Brogel church belonged to that same abbey, which explains the choice of patron saint. It's worth noting that this area was ecclesiastically part of the parish of Peer until shortly after 1249, when the parish split — from that point on, Grote-Brogel became its own parish, even though it has remained administratively part of the municipality of Peer. What can visitors see inside? The interior holds several notable pieces of religious art. The oldest is a 13th-century baptismal font carved from Maas limestone, a type of stone quarried along the Meuse valley and widely used in medieval sculpture and architecture across the region. The font was restored around 1908. Other highlights include a sculptural group depicting the Holy Sepulchre from around 1520, a depiction of Christ on the Cold Stone from around 1535, and a Calvary group dated to around 1465. Together, these three works illustrate how rich and varied devotional sculpture was in this region across the 15th and 16th centuries, ranging from Passion scenes to compositions tied to the Easter narrative. Why is Sint-Trudokerk worth a visit? The church layers several eras of history in one place: a medieval tower that survived fire and rebuilding, a 19th-century neo-Gothic structure, and a collection of religious sculpture spanning centuries. For anyone interested in the history of the Kempen region or the sacred architecture of Limburg, it offers a clear picture of how a small rural parish accumulated artistically significant heritage over hundreds of years. Frequently asked questions Where exactly is the church located? On Pastorijstraat in Grote-Brogel, a village within the municipality of Peer in Limburg province. Is the building original from medieval times? Not entirely — only the tower, dating from around 1500, survives from the earlier church. The main body is a neo-Gothic structure built in 1896. Who was the church dedicated to? Saint Trudo, founder of the abbey in Sint-Truiden, which held the patronage rights over this parish.

Sint-Gertrudis church

Sint-Gertrudiskerk is the parish church of Zandvliet, a district of Antwerp, built in neo-Gothic style and dedicated to Saint Gertrude of Nivelles, the patron saint of the village. Standing at Spaansemolenstraat 1, the church has for centuries been the religious focal point of this small community just north of Antwerp, close to the Dutch border. What is the history behind this church? The roots of the church reach far beyond its current neo-Gothic form. An earlier chapel in Zandvliet was elevated to the status of a parish church as early as 1124, making this one of the older parishes in the region. Around 1254, a new church was built on the site, one that would go on to suffer repeated damage and reconstruction over the following centuries — a common fate for churches in this part of Flanders, an area that lay along the route of numerous armed conflicts. A major turning point came in 1845, when the church was considerably enlarged according to designs by architect Ferdinand Berckmans. It was this expansion that gave the building much of the shape it would carry into the modern era, though not the final one in its long story. Why does the church look the way it does today? The answer lies in a tragic chapter of Zandvliet's history. In 1940, the church was severely damaged by warfare. The destruction was extensive enough that reconstruction took several years after the war ended — the church was finally rebuilt between 1953 and 1954, according to designs by architect Leo De Graef. It is this post-war rebuilding that gave the church the neo-Gothic character visitors see today. What is worth seeing inside? The interior holds several furnishings that either survived the building's turbulent history or were introduced afterward. Of particular note is the pulpit, dating from the first half of the 18th century — one of the few older decorative elements that connects the present-day church to the period before the wartime destruction. Among the sacred artworks, a painting depicting the Descent from the Cross stands out, painted in 1861 by Nicasius de Keyser, a respected 19th-century Belgian painter known for his historical and religious works. The presence of this piece shows that, despite wartime destruction and repeated rebuilding, the parish took care to preserve its artistic heritage. Who should visit this church? Sint-Gertrudiskerk is a destination primarily for those interested in sacred architecture and the local history of Flanders — a place where medieval parish origins, a 19th-century expansion, and a 20th-century post-war reconstruction all come together in a single building. It also makes a worthwhile stop for travelers exploring the area around Antwerp who want to see something beyond the city's main attractions. Frequently asked questions Who is the church in Zandvliet dedicated to? The church is dedicated to Saint Gertrude of Nivelles, who is also the patron saint of Zandvliet itself. When was the parish in Zandvliet established? An earlier chapel was elevated to the status of parish church in 1124. Why was the church rebuilt in the 1950s? The building was severely damaged by warfare in 1940, and its reconstruction, designed by Leo De Graef, was completed between 1953 and 1954. What can visitors see inside the church? Notable interior features include an 18th-century pulpit and the 1861 painting "Descent from the Cross" by Nicasius de Keyser.

Sint-Ritakerk

Sint-Ritakerk is a parish and pilgrimage church in the village of Sint-Rita, also known as Den Hoorn, part of the sub-municipality of Moerkerke within the Belgian municipality of Damme. The church stands at Hoornstraat 90 and is dedicated to Saint Rita of Cascia. Why did Den Hoorn need its own parish? Before the war, residents of Den Hoorn had no church of their own — they attended services at the Sint-Dionysiuskerk in Moerkerke. Everything changed in 1944, when occupying forces destroyed the bridges over the Leopold Canal and the Schipdonk Canal, known locally as the Jacksen bridges, which connected Den Hoorn to Moerkerke. Reaching the parish church suddenly became impractical, cutting the village off from a place of worship its residents had relied on for generations. That disruption became the direct trigger for establishing an independent parish in Den Hoorn, one dedicated to Saint Rita. How did the village go from a temporary chapel to a permanent church? The new parish needed a place to worship quickly, so in 1946 a makeshift emergency church went up, built from leftover wartime materials — a common solution during postwar reconstruction, when money and building materials for permanent structures were scarce. That improvised building served the community for over a decade, but in 1960 a second temporary structure was built, a sign that plans for a lasting church kept being postponed. It wasn't until 1976-1977 that the current brick church was finally constructed. Interestingly, the site chosen for it had previously held a tram switch, a small detail that hints at how much the surrounding area changed over the decades. Local volunteers carried out the construction under the guidance of parish priest Reverend K. Ackaert, following designs by architect Stefaan Dejaegere of Kortrijk. What does the church's architecture look like? Sint-Ritakerk is a low but comparatively long, brick, three-aisled hall church set beneath a gabled roof. The building is divided into five bays, each lit by three windows, a layout that gives the interior a rhythmic, repeating quality typical of postwar sacred architecture built economically but with attention to proportion. On the facade of the tower is a ceramic depiction of Saint Rita, created by Willy Mitchell, adding a decorative touch to the otherwise plain brick structure and clearly signaling to visitors which saint the church honors. Where exactly is the church located? Sint-Ritakerk sits in the village of Den Hoorn (Sint-Rita), a hamlet within the municipality of Moerkerke, itself part of the larger municipality of Damme in West Flanders. The location's approximate coordinates are 51.2528°N, 3.3831°E. Frequently asked questions Why is the church called Sint-Ritakerk? The church is dedicated to Saint Rita of Cascia, and both the parish and the village itself — now also known as Sint-Rita — took their name from her. Why did Den Hoorn need to build its own church? Because in 1944 the bridges connecting the village to Moerkerke, where residents had previously attended the Sint-Dionysiuskerk, were destroyed, forcing the creation of an independent parish. When was the current church building constructed? The permanent brick church standing today was built in 1976-1977, following two earlier temporary structures from 1946 and 1960. Who designed the church? The plans were drawn up by architect Stefaan Dejaegere of Kortrijk, and the building itself was constructed by volunteers under parish priest K. Ackaert.

Sint-Margaretakerk

Sint-Margriete

Sint-Margaretakerk is the parish church of Sint-Margriete, a village belonging to the municipality of Sint-Laureins in the province of East Flanders, Belgium, close to the Dutch border. Dedicated to Saint Margaret of Antioch, the building standing today is already the fifth church erected for this community over the centuries. Why has this site seen five churches? The story of the parish is inseparable from the water that surrounds it. Sint-Margriete lies in the low-lying delta of the Westerschelde, where recurring floods repeatedly destroyed earlier places of worship over the centuries. The first, modest church stood near what is now the Dutch island known as Eiland and vanished during the great floods of 1375–1376. After the land was re-poldered, a second church was built, only to disappear again during the so-called St. Elizabeth flood of 1404. It was not until 1462, when Jan De Plaat re-diked the Sint-Kruispolder, that a third church could be raised; the building from 1470 lasted until 1570. A fourth church was then erected in 1672 by the Ghent Abbey of Saint Bavo, following prolonged resistance and disputes with the States General of the United Provinces that were only resolved with a final border settlement. What does the current building look like? The church visitors see today dates from 1881–1882, built to plans drawn up in 1877 by the Ghent architect Edmond de Perre-Montigny. Its design reflects the sacred architecture typical of late 19th-century Flemish villages. Inside, a neo-Gothic high altar from 1898 stands out, topped by a retable depicting the martyrdom of Saint Margaret, the church's patron. This scene gives the interior a solemn, devotional focal point and keeps the story of the village's patron saint visibly present for every visitor. What survives from the earlier churches? Despite the turbulent history of repeated destruction, a number of valuable pieces from previous church buildings have been preserved. Among them is a Gothic baptismal font basin, along with several paintings that decorate the interior. Particularly notable is the statue of Saint Margaret from 1750, carved by the Bruges sculptor Pieter van Walleghem — a work that outlasted the succession of buildings and today stands as a link to centuries of devotion in this small border village. Frequently asked questions Who is the church in Sint-Margriete dedicated to? The church is dedicated to Saint Margaret of Antioch, whose name also gave the village its own. Why has this location had five different churches? The area sits in the low-lying Westerschelde delta, where successive floods — including those of 1375–1376 and the St. Elizabeth flood of 1404 — repeatedly destroyed earlier churches, forcing the community to rebuild. When was the current church built? The present building was constructed in 1881–1882, based on a design by Ghent architect Edmond de Perre-Montigny. What is worth seeing inside? Highlights include the neo-Gothic high altar of 1898 with its retable of Saint Margaret's martyrdom, a Gothic baptismal font basin, and an 18th-century statue of the patron saint by Pieter van Walleghem. Where exactly is Sint-Margriete located? Sint-Margriete is a village within the municipality of Sint-Laureins, in the province of East Flanders, right on the border with the Netherlands.

Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van het Heilig Hartkerk

Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van het Heilig Hartkerk is a parish church in Borgerhout, a district of Antwerp, located at Te Boelaarlei 11. The building dates from 1909, when it was constructed as a convent chapel linked to a religious community that had settled in this part of the city around the turn of the twentieth century. How did the building's role change over time? For its first decades, the chapel served as an internal place of worship for the resident religious community rather than as a public parish church. That changed in 1964, when the building underwent significant renovation and modernization, after which it was granted the status of a full parish church. From that point on, it began serving the wider Catholic community of Borgerhout rather than only the members of the religious house that had built it. The parish attached to the church carries the name O.-L.-Vrouw van het H. Hart Borgerhout, Stenenbrug, a name that reflects both the church's dedication and the nearby Stenenbrug area of the neighborhood. In 2009, the church marked its hundredth anniversary, counting from 1909, when clergy associated with the site began their ministry there. The anniversary was an occasion to bring the building's history back into local attention. Where exactly is the church located? The church stands on Te Boelaarlei, in the heart of Borgerhout — an Antwerp district known for its dense urban fabric and its mix of communities with diverse backgrounds. Its coordinates place it close to Krugerplein, a well-known local square that functions as a commercial and social hub for the surrounding streets. What sets it apart from other churches in Borgerhout? Borgerhout is home to several Catholic churches with related Marian dedications, including the nearby Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-ter-Sneeuwkerk, which can make it easy to confuse the two. What distinguishes this particular church is its origin story: it began as a private convent chapel and only later opened its doors to the broader parish community, rather than being built from the outset as a public place of worship. That two-stage history — first a closed house of prayer, then a full parish church — sets it apart from churches designed from day one to serve parishioners. What should visitors know before stopping by? The church sits in a densely built, urban part of Antwerp, well connected to the city center. The Krugerplein and Stenenbrug area is known for its multicultural character and lively street life, making it worthwhile to combine a visit to the church with a walk through the surrounding streets to get a feel for this part of the city. As an active parish church, the building primarily serves its local religious community, so visitors should check service times in advance and be mindful that this is a living place of worship rather than a purely historical monument. Frequently asked questions Can visitors go inside the church? As a functioning parish, the church primarily caters to worshippers, so access for casual visitors outside of service hours may be limited; it is worth checking locally or with the parish beforehand. Where does the church's name come from? The dedication "Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van het Heilig Hart" (Our Lady of the Sacred Heart) reflects the building's original purpose as a chapel tied to a religious community of the same name. Is this the only church with this name in Antwerp? Borgerhout itself contains several churches with related Marian dedications, so it is worth paying attention to the full name and address to avoid confusing it with neighboring churches. How can visitors reach the church? The church is located on Te Boelaarlei, close to Krugerplein, in a district well served by Antwerp's public transport network.

Heilige Drievuldigheidskerk

Heilige Drievuldigheidskerk (Holy Trinity Church) is a parish church in Berchem, a district of Antwerp, standing at the junction of Bacchuslaan and Wapenstilstandlaan. Built between 1931 and 1933 to a design by architect Gustaaf Van Meel, it stands out as one of the region's rare examples of religious architecture blending the austerity of Neue Sachlichkeit (New Objectivity) with decorative Art Deco touches. What does the building look like? The church faces south and rests on a reinforced concrete structure clad in yellow brick, a material commonly used in interwar Belgian modernist buildings. The geometric simplicity typical of 1930s design is softened by Art Deco details: stylised lines, restrained ornamentation, and a carefully composed arrangement of window openings. A bell tower rises above the main volume of the church, forming a recognisable landmark among the surrounding residential streets. What is worth seeing inside and out? The front facade's main feature is a set of stained-glass windows depicting the Holy Trinity, a direct reference to the church's dedication (Heilige Drievuldigheid means Holy Trinity in Dutch). The coloured glass casts the muted, atmospheric light typical of religious modernist buildings from this period. It's worth noting how the architect combined a functional concrete structure with traditional religious symbolism, making the building an interesting example of transitional architecture between the classic parish church and the modern public building. Why is it worth a visit? The church remains an active parish serving the local Berchem community. For anyone interested in 20th-century architecture, it offers a chance to see how modernist styles intersected with local building traditions in interwar Antwerp. Its location in the quiet, residential district of Berchem makes a visit easy to combine with a walk through the surrounding streets, away from the busier tourist center of Antwerp. Where exactly is it located? The church stands at the intersection of Bacchuslaan and Wapenstilstandlaan in Berchem, a municipality that forms part of the city of Antwerp in the Flemish province of Antwerp. Its geographic coordinates are approximately 51.2027°N, 4.4437°E. Frequently asked questions When was Heilige Drievuldigheidskerk built? The church was built between 1931 and 1933. Who was the architect? The design was created by Gustaaf Van Meel. What architectural style is it built in? It is an example of Neue Sachlichkeit (New Objectivity) architecture with Art Deco elements, combining a functional reinforced concrete structure with decorative details typical of the 1930s. What do the stained-glass windows on the facade depict? The front stained-glass windows depict the Holy Trinity, referencing the church's dedication. Is the church still used for religious services? Yes, it remains an active parish church serving the Berchem community in Antwerp. What material was used for the facade? The facade is clad in yellow brick over a reinforced concrete structure.

Sint-Franciscus Xaveriuskerk

Sint-Franciscus Xaveriuskerk is a modest but locally significant church in the Borgerhout district of Antwerp, Belgium. Standing at Collegelaan 32, the building has been closely tied for decades to the neighboring Xaveriuscollege, the school for which it was originally built. When was the church built? The design dates back to 1963, drawn up by professor, engineer and architect Paul Felix. Construction itself took place between 1964 and 1965, and the finished building was consecrated on 12 March 1965 by Monsignor Daem. The church was commissioned by Xaveriuscollege and was intended from the start to function as a college chapel — a place of worship for the school's students, teachers and staff, rather than an ordinary open parish church. How did the church's role change over time? That original purpose began to shift as Borgerhout itself grew. As the population of this part of Antwerp increased, the building was needed to serve not only the school community but also the growing number of families living nearby. In March 1966, a chaplaincy dedicated to Xaverius was established at the site, initially placed under the parish of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. This was an intermediate step on the path toward full independence for the local church community. Two years later, in 1968, a separate parish dedicated to Saint Francis Xavier was formally created, and the Sint-Franciscus Xaveriuskerk became its main parish church. Who took care of the church? From its founding until 2007, pastoral and liturgical life at the church was overseen by Jesuits, formally connected to the Xaveriuscollege run by their order. It is to the Jesuits that the church owes its dedication: the patron saint, Francis Xavier, was one of the co-founders of the Society of Jesus and remains one of the best-known missionaries in the history of the Catholic Church. The Jesuit presence over more than four decades gave the place a distinctive character, blending the college's educational tradition with everyday parish life. Where exactly is the church located? Sint-Franciscus Xaveriuskerk stands in Borgerhout, one of the districts of the city of Antwerp, in the Flanders region of Belgium. Its geographic coordinates are approximately 51.213° north latitude and 4.451° east longitude, placing it in a densely built, urban part of the district, directly adjacent to the buildings of the former college. Frequently asked questions Is it a parish church or a school chapel? The building's history includes both roles. It was originally built as the college chapel, but as Borgerhout's population grew, it evolved into a full parish church — since 1968 the seat of the parish of Saint Francis Xavier. Who designed the building? The 1963 design came from professor, engineer and architect Paul Felix, with construction carried out between 1964 and 1965. What is the church's connection to the Jesuits? For more than forty years, from its founding until 2007, pastoral and liturgical care of the church was in the hands of Jesuits linked to Xaveriuscollege, the school for which the church was originally built. When was the church consecrated? The formal consecration took place on 12 March 1965, performed by Monsignor Daem.

Sint-Petrus en Pauluskerk

Riemst

Sint-Petrus en Pauluskerk is the parish church of Vroenhoven, a village within the municipality of Riemst in the Belgian province of Limburg. The building stands on Pastoor Counestraat, on a plot of roughly 2,342 square metres, and serves as the parish church dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul under the Diocese of Hasselt. When was the church built? The current church was constructed between 1936 and 1937 to a design by architect Joseph Deré. Its early history was far from peaceful: in 1940 the building suffered serious wartime damage, which was repaired through a restoration carried out the following year, in 1941, allowing the church to resume its liturgical function relatively quickly. What architectural style does it follow? The church is built in the Neo-Romanesque style, typical of Belgian sacred architecture from the interbellum period. It takes the form of a three-aisled cross basilica, made up of a four-bay nave, a three-bay transept, and a single-bay choir closed by a semicircular apse flanked by smaller side apses (absidioles). To the west rises a tower with a round staircase turret on its southern side. What materials were used? The building was constructed in brick, set on a tall plinth of rubble stone. The roofs are gabled and lean-to in form. The base of the tower is built from rough-hewn stone and houses a Romanesque portal with a profiled surround, together with decorative brick window openings. Throughout the facades, profiled brick windows appear, most commonly grouped in sets of three lights. What does the interior look like? Inside, plastered surfaces combine with exposed brick structural elements. Barrel-vaulted arcades resting on columns separate the central nave from the side aisles, while ribbed vaults are carried on brick colonnettes. Among the church's furnishings is a polychrome wooden statue of Saint Francis Xavier, dated to around 1800. Is the church a protected monument? Yes — since 1 February 2018, Sint-Petrus en Pauluskerk has been listed as protected architectural heritage in Flanders. The protection covers both the structure of the building and elements of its historic furnishings, including the aforementioned statue of Saint Francis Xavier. Frequently asked questions Where exactly is the church located? In Vroenhoven, a village in the municipality of Riemst, in the Belgian province of Limburg, on Pastoor Counestraat. Who designed the church? Architect Joseph Deré, who drew up the design built in 1936–1937. Was the church damaged during the war? Yes, it suffered serious damage in 1940, with restoration carried out in 1941. What architectural style does the building represent? Neo-Romanesque, characteristic of Belgian interbellum church architecture. Are there any historic furnishings preserved inside? Yes, including a polychrome statue of Saint Francis Xavier from around 1800.

Église Saint-Étienne de Braine-l'Alleud

Braine-l'Alleud

Église Saint-Étienne is the main parish church of Braine-l'Alleud, a town located a short distance south of Brussels in the province of Walloon Brabant, Belgium. Standing at the heart of the town, it has served as a spiritual and social landmark for the local community for centuries. How old is this church? Written records mention the parish of Braine-l'Alleud as early as the 12th century, and construction work carried out in 1963 uncovered the remains of a Romanesque choir wall, confirming that a place of worship stood on this site long before the present building. Construction of the current church began in 1550, at a time when Gothic architecture in the Southern Netherlands was gradually giving way to new stylistic currents, even though it still dominated religious building. How has the structure changed over time? The nave and transept represent 16th-century Gothic style, while the church's distinctive massive square tower, built in a classical style and capped with a bell-shaped roof, dates from 1762 and gives the building its recognizable silhouette visible from many parts of town. In the second half of the 19th century, between 1865 and 1888, the church underwent a Neo-Gothic expansion, adding new architectural elements and enlarging the liturgical space in keeping with the era's taste for restoring a medieval aesthetic to churches. A century later, between 1973 and 1974, an interior restoration partially reversed the effects of the 19th-century expansion, aiming to bring the church closer to its appearance before 1865. This work closed off the choir and walled up the apsidal chapels located on the eastern side of the transept, significantly changing the layout of the interior compared to the Neo-Gothic period. What role did the church play during the Battle of Waterloo? The most dramatic chapter in the church's history began on June 19, 1815, the day after the Battle of Waterloo, fought in the immediate vicinity of Braine-l'Alleud. The church was converted into a field hospital, where wounded soldiers of all the warring nations were treated by doctors, nuns, and nurses from the town and surrounding villages. The building became a place where victors and vanquished met, united by shared suffering and the need for care. The memory of this episode was only formally commemorated 150 years later, in 1965, when a monument dedicated to the hospital episode was unveiled inside the church, created by sculptor Albert Desenfans. The monument still reminds visitors today that the walls of this seemingly quiet parish church witnessed one of the most pivotal events in 19th-century European history. What can visitors see when they enter today? Visitors can admire a layering of several historical periods: the 16th-century Gothic nave and transept, the classical 1762 tower, and Neo-Gothic elements from the late 19th century that survived the 1970s restoration. This rare combination of styles makes Église Saint-Étienne a kind of architectural record of successive eras in the region's religious building tradition. The church stands close to other sites connected with the Battle of Waterloo, making it a natural stop for visitors interested in Napoleonic history, while it also remains an active place of worship for the local parish community. Frequently asked questions Where is the church located? In the center of Braine-l'Alleud, in the province of Walloon Brabant, Belgium. Since when has the current building existed? Construction of the present church began in 1550, although a parish had existed on the site since at least the 12th century. What connection does the church have to the Battle of Waterloo? From June 19, 1815, it served as a field hospital for wounded soldiers of all sides in the conflict. What architectural style dominates the building? The church combines 16th-century Gothic (nave and transept), 18th-century classical style (the 1762 tower), and late 19th-century Neo-Gothic elements.

Sint-Pieters-Bandenkerk

Bertem

Sint-Pieters-Bandenkerk is a Romanesque parish church in Bertem, a small municipality in Flemish Brabant, just east of Leuven. It is considered one of the best-preserved examples of Mosan-Romanesque (Brabantine) church architecture in Belgium and remains the village's most recognizable landmark. How old is the church? Historians believe an earlier church and burial ground may have stood on this spot as far back as the 8th century, but the Romanesque building seen today was most likely constructed between 1000 and 1050. That makes it one of the oldest surviving religious buildings in the region, with a history stretching back nearly a thousand years. Why does the church have such an unusual name? The name refers to the feast of Saint Peter's Chains (Latin: S. Petrus ad Vincula, celebrated on August 1), the patron feast of the abbey of Corbie — a powerful monastery in northern France that owned Bertem during the Middle Ages. The abbot of Corbie held both spiritual and worldly authority over the village, and the church's patron saint reflected that relationship. This is why the church is sometimes referred to in English as the "Church of Saint Peter's Chains." What almost led to the church being demolished? By the 19th century the building had fallen into serious disrepair, and in 1874 local authorities decided it should be torn down. Demolition never happened: Alphonse Jacobs wrote a treatise arguing the church was one of the most important buildings in Belgian history, which caught the attention of national authorities and ultimately saved it from destruction. That episode is still cited today as a milestone in the region's heritage-preservation history. What restoration work has the church undergone? After being spared demolition, the church underwent a major rebuild in 1900, followed by another restoration in 1934–1935. Given its exceptional historical and architectural value, it was officially protected as a listed monument in 1937. Conservation work did not stop in the 20th century, either: in April 2026, a large-scale restoration project began, backed by around 3 million euros, aimed at securing the building for future generations and preserving over a thousand years of history at the site. What can visitors see there? The church's appeal lies in its austere Romanesque form — thick walls, small round-arched windows, and a distinctive tower typical of the Mosan-Brabantine style. Alongside the church stands a historic churchyard, listed together with the building as "Parochiekerk Sint-Pieters met kerkhof." The combination of architecture and setting draws both admirers of sacred art history and travelers exploring the area around Leuven. Frequently asked questions Can the church be visited? As an active parish church in Bertem, it is open for services and, where restoration work allows, to individual visitors. How do you get to Bertem? The village lies a few kilometers east of Leuven, reachable by local roads and bus connections. What sets this church apart from other Romanesque churches in the region? Its unusually well-preserved original Romanesque fabric and its well-documented, centuries-long fight for survival — from a near-demolition in the 1870s to an active restoration campaign that began in 2026.

Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk

Kortenberg

Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk is a Neo-Gothic church in Kortenberg, a municipality in the Flemish Brabant province of Belgium, originally founded in the second half of the 18th century and given its present form in the early 20th century. Standing at the heart of the town, it remains an active parish church and one of Kortenberg's most recognizable landmarks. Where did the church come from? Kortenberg's original parish church stood elsewhere, on the grounds of the former Kortenberg Abbey, where Saint Amandus was venerated. Because of its hilltop position, locals called it the "bergkerk," or "mountain church." As the settlement grew around a newly laid stone road, that hillside location became increasingly impractical for the community. Why was a new church built? In 1764 a local referendum settled the matter: residents voted to build a new church closer to the stone road constructed in 1709, on a site known as the Heurk. The decision spelled the end of the old hilltop church. The first stone of the new building was laid on 9 July 1771 by the abbess of the local abbey, and the old bergkerk was torn down that same summer. When did the church take its current shape? The building seen today was consecrated on 16 October 1922 by Cardinal Mercier, one of the most prominent Belgian church leaders of the early 20th century. That consecration marked the completion of the structure in its present form. Where does the name Onze-Lieve-Vrouw come from? For most of its history, the church was known as Sint-Amanduskerk, honoring Saint Amandus, patron of the original hilltop church. Only in 1981, to avoid confusion with the identically named church in Erps-Kwerps, just two kilometers away, did the Kortenberg parish adopt a new patron: Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouw), who had long been the church's secondary patroness. What can visitors see inside? The interior holds several notable pieces of religious art. Among them are 18th-century paintings, including a work depicting the invocation of Saint Blaise, produced by the Flemish School. A Late Gothic sculpture of Our Lady, dating from around 1500 and attributed to the workshop of the Master of Our Lady of Piétrebais, stands alongside a Baroque Ecce Homo figure of Christ from the late 17th century. The church also preserves oak Louis XVI-style paneling and confessionals, designed in 1788 by Jean Taverniers of Mechelen. Frequently asked questions Is this the same church as Sint-Amanduskerk? Yes — it carried that name until 1981, when the parish switched its dedication to Our Lady. How old is the current building? Construction began in 1771, and the church reached its present form following its consecration in 1922. What is worth seeing inside? 18th-century paintings, a Late Gothic statue of Our Lady from around 1500, a Baroque Ecce Homo figure, and 18th-century oak paneling. Where did the earlier church stand? On the grounds of the former Kortenberg Abbey, on a hill, which is why it was known as the "bergkerk."

Sint-Martinuskerk

Pepingen

Sint-Martinuskerk is the historic parish church at the heart of Pepingen, a small municipality in Flemish Brabant, southwest of Brussels. The building sits right in the village center, and for decades it has shaped the area's character — three imposing 19th-century farm buildings form an almost square configuration together with the church, a layout that still defines the look of Pepingen's core today. How old is this church? The building's history stretches across many centuries, with successive elements added from the 12th through the 20th century. Traces of several architectural periods survive in its structure — Romanesque origins, Gothic development, and later reworkings from the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. The result is a heterogeneous but coherent whole, built in the Hainaut Gothic style typical of the border region between Hainaut and Brabant. The church's silhouette includes a west tower with a round stair turret on its north side flanked by the side aisles, a three-aisle nave with three bays, a transept, and a choir closed on three sides. Why is the church legally protected? Sint-Martinuskerk has held protected monument status since August 12, 1943. That is not the only layer of protection covering the site — since October 8, 2021, the entire layout of Pepingen's village center has also been protected as architectural heritage, and since June 3, 1986, the historic rural landscape of the village center has carried its own protected status. The church therefore sits at the core of three overlapping heritage protections: the building itself, the surrounding structures, and the village landscape. What stories does the interior hold? Inside the church stands a 16th-century tomb monument of the d'Herbais family — a monumental composition measuring 2.5 by 5 meters, carved from black and white marble. It is considered one of the earliest known tomb monuments of its era to depict the figures kneeling rather than lying down, which was the standard convention before that. The d'Herbais family, with roots in northern France, held extensive properties across the municipality from the 14th well into the 19th century and often resided in the area — a castle belonging to the family once stood behind the church. The monument had fallen into poor condition over time but has recently undergone a thorough restoration. What about the church bells? The current bells were hung in the tower 75 years ago, replacing the ones seized by the German occupying forces during World War II. Their return marked a meaningful moment for the local community, symbolizing recovery after the losses of the war years. How does the church connect to the village's history? The story of Sint-Martinuskerk is closely tied to the history of Pepingen itself. Starting in 1906 — 120 years ago — the first rural tramline began running through the village, transforming daily life for residents and becoming an essential link to the nearby town of Halle. Standing at the center of this web of connections, the church has remained a point of reference for the community for centuries. Frequently asked questions Can visitors go inside Sint-Martinuskerk? As an active parish church, it is generally open to the public during events such as Open Monumentendag (Open Monuments Day), when its most notable stories and features are highlighted for visitors. What is the most notable feature inside? The 16th-century marble tomb of the d'Herbais family stands out as one of the few surviving early examples of a tomb monument showing kneeling figures. Is the building's architecture from a single period? No — construction and additions span from the 12th to the 20th century, making the church something of a record of the region's successive building periods.

Church of St. Vincent

The Church of St. Vincent is the oldest standing building in the Brussels municipality of Evere, a quiet reminder of the area's medieval roots tucked among the district's modern streets. Who is the church dedicated to? The church honors Saint Vincent Madelgaire, a Merovingian nobleman who lived from around 600 to 677 and is best remembered as the founder of the town of Soignies in Hainaut. For centuries, the collegiate chapter of Soignies held a direct institutional link to the parish of Evere, a relationship that shaped much of the church's early history. How old is the building? The earliest written record of a place of worship in Evere dates back to a charter from 1120, which states that "the altar of Evere" was granted to the Chapter of Soignies. It is possible that a modest chapel or prayer site already stood here as early as the 8th century, though no solid archaeological or documentary evidence confirms this earlier date. From the moment of that 1120 grant until the late 18th century, the residents of Evere paid a tithe — a tax on their harvests — to the chapter in Soignies, a practice that reveals just how long-lasting and economically significant this ecclesiastical bond was. What does the architecture look like today? Built of local limestone, the church is a good example of rural religious architecture typical of the Brabant region. Its most distinctive feature is the central tower, built in the late Romanesque style and generally dated to the 13th century. This tower gives the building its recognizable, sturdy silhouette, still visible above the surrounding rooftops. What historical upheavals has the church survived? The building did not survive the centuries unscathed. Between 1578 and 1585, during a turbulent period of religious conflict, the church was damaged by Calvinist iconoclasts — part of a broader wave of image-breaking that swept through many Catholic churches across the Low Countries at the time. The structure was subsequently repaired and continued to serve as the parish church of Evere. What happened to the churchyard? For centuries, a traditional cemetery surrounded the church, as was common practice for parish churches of the era. This changed at the end of the 19th century: a new municipal cemetery on Rue Saint-Vincent opened in 1880, and the old graveyard immediately around the church was cleared away in 1893. Not everything from that older cemetery disappeared, however — several gravestones were preserved and set into the church's outer wall, where they can still be seen today as physical traces of the site's long funerary history. Why is it worth a visit? The Church of St. Vincent offers a rare chance to encounter a centuries-old structure within the densely built, thoroughly modern municipality of Evere. It carries visible marks of both medieval devotion and the religious upheavals that swept the Low Countries in the late 16th century. It appeals to visitors interested in Brussels' local history, regional religious architecture, and the quieter corners of the Belgian capital, away from the usual tourist routes. Frequently asked questions Who was Saint Vincent, the church's patron? A 7th-century Merovingian nobleman best known as the founder of the town of Soignies in Hainaut. How old is the church? The first written mention dates to 1120, though a place of worship may have existed here earlier. Has the church survived in its original form? No — it was damaged by iconoclasts between 1578 and 1585 and later repaired; its tower probably dates from the 13th century. What happened to the old cemetery around it? It was removed in 1893, and some of its gravestones were built into the church wall.

Sint-Martinuskerk

Asse

Sint-Martinuskerk is the Gothic parish church at the heart of Asse, a municipality in Flemish Brabant, Belgium, dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours. The site carries a long sacred history: very little is documented about its earliest origins, but it is thought that near the end of the Gallo-Roman period a first Christian building may have been erected here, replacing an older pagan spring cult. Placing the church on the highest ground in the area was typical of the wider Christianization of the region during the late sixth and early seventh centuries. How did Asse become home to a mother church? At that time Asse served as the capital of a local administrative district, and it was granted a so-called vicus church — a parish that functioned as a mother church, from which eleven daughter parishes eventually branched off. That elevated status helped the site of worship in Asse grow in importance over the following centuries, gradually taking on a more monumental architectural form. Who administered the church in the Middle Ages? Toward the end of the eleventh century, the church of Asse was granted to the newly founded Abbey of Affligem, reflecting the common medieval practice of placing parishes under monastic care. This arrangement lasted for centuries, until after the French Revolution, when the church came under the authority of the Archdiocese of Mechelen — part of a broader reorganization of church structures in the territory of present-day Belgium following the collapse of the old feudal order. What architectural form does the church take? The building as it stands today has a layered construction history: its oldest surviving elements date to the thirteenth century, though only a few fragments of the original Romanesque church remain. Over the following centuries, up to the seventeenth century, the church was repeatedly rebuilt, enlarged, and embellished in Gothic style, giving it its current pseudo-basilical layout. A cemetery once surrounded the church, as was standard for rural and small-town parishes of the period. Owing to its historical and architectural value, the building was listed as a protected monument in 1940. What changed on the church tower? A defining feature of Sint-Martinuskerk's silhouette is its tower, crowned by a tall spire. The original low, tapered spire was replaced in 1902 and the following years by the current slender needle spire, ringed at its base by a balustrade and fitted with neo-Gothic gargoyles for rainwater drainage. In recent years the spire underwent a comprehensive restoration; the scaffolding that had surrounded it for an extended period was finally removed once conservation work was completed, restoring an unobstructed view of the tower. What is worth seeing inside? The interior, with the exception of the choir, underwent a thorough renovation in the early twentieth century: work carried out from 1909 onward, led by the same architect responsible for the tower's reconstruction, focused mainly on the vaults, including their ribs, and the arcades, which were repaired and repainted. The church's stained-glass windows have their own separate history: in 2017, after 24 years of work, the restoration of the historicizing stained-glass windows was completed, and in subsequent years particular attention has also gone to the nineteenth-century stained-glass windows, whose conservation was entrusted to a specialized workshop. Why is Sint-Martinuskerk worth a visit? The church layers together nearly a thousand years of history — from its presumed Roman-era roots, through its role as a mother church within the region's medieval parish network, to its carefully restored Gothic structure and tower, visible from afar above the rooftops of Asse. It is a rewarding stop for anyone interested in the Christianization of Flemish Brabant or in ecclesiastical architecture, offering a chance to see how centuries of repairs and rebuilding came together into a coherent, now fully restored whole. Frequently asked questions Who is the church dedicated to? Saint Martin of Tours. When was the current building constructed? Its oldest surviving elements date from the thirteenth century, with construction continuing through the seventeenth century. Since when has the building been a protected monument? Since 1940. What recently changed on the tower? The restoration of the tower's spire was completed, and the scaffolding surrounding it was removed.

Sint-Ambrosiuskerk

Dilbeek

Sint-Ambrosiuskerk is the parish church of Dilbeek, a municipality in the Flemish Brabant province, just west of Brussels. Standing on Verheydenstraat, it has served as a religious and architectural landmark for the surrounding community for centuries. How old is the parish itself? The roots of the parish reach back to the early Middle Ages, with a place of worship possibly existing here as early as the 9th to 11th century. The earliest written record of an independent Dilbeek parish dates to 1075; before that, the area belonged ecclesiastically to the neighbouring parish of Anderlecht. This kind of separation was common for growing settlements around medieval Brussels — as local populations expanded, communities needed their own church infrastructure rather than relying on a parent parish further away. When was the current building constructed? The church structure that partly survives today is thought to have been founded around 1271, though construction unfolded gradually over several centuries — a fact still visible in the building's layout. The west tower is the oldest surviving element, built in the early Gothic style during the 13th century. The nave, transept, and choir were added later, during the Late Gothic period spanning the 14th and 15th centuries. This drawn-out construction timeline means the church combines multiple phases of Gothic architecture under one roof, from the tower's earlier, simpler forms to the more elaborate later sections of the body of the church. What material was used to build it? The church was built from natural stone, which is not unusual for medieval religious architecture in the region. What stands out is where the stone came from: the building is constructed from white sandstone quarried locally, directly in Dilbeek. This means the municipality was not only the site of the church but also the source of its building material, tying the structure closely to the local landscape and geology. What architectural style does it represent? Sint-Ambrosiuskerk belongs to the Brabantine Gothic tradition, a regional variant of Gothic architecture associated with the historic Duchy of Brabant, covering much of present-day central Belgium. One of the style's recognisable features present in the church is the so-called cabbage-leaf capitals — decorative column tops carved with a leaf motif resembling cabbage leaves, a hallmark of Brabantine Gothic found in numerous other churches across the region, including cathedrals in Brussels and Antwerp. What changed in the early 20th century? Between 1905 and 1912, the building underwent a significant renovation designed by architect Henri Valcke. This work shaped much of the church's current appearance without erasing its medieval character. Despite this early-20th-century intervention, the historic interior has remained relatively well preserved — a notable outcome given the building's long and multi-phase construction history. Frequently asked questions Where exactly is the church located? On Verheydenstraat in Dilbeek, in the Flemish Brabant province, near Brussels. Is it the oldest building in Dilbeek? The 13th-century west tower is among the oldest surviving architectural elements in the municipality, though the parish as an institution is even older. What architectural style does it feature? It is an example of Brabantine Gothic, visible in details such as its distinctive column capitals. Is the interior worth visiting? The preserved historic interior and the multi-phase architecture — from the early Gothic tower to the Late Gothic body of the church — make it a point of interest for anyone drawn to the region's religious architecture.

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.

Don Boscokerk

Halle

Don Boscokerk is a parish church in Buizingen, a village within the town of Halle in the Flemish Brabant province of Belgium, standing along the Alsembergsesteenweg 130. It is a modest but distinctive example of a "hall church" (zaalkerk) — a single wide nave without separate side aisles — accompanied by a detached, square bell tower built alongside the main structure. When was the church built? The building was consecrated by Bishop Emiel-Jozef De Smedt on 30 December 1951. Construction of the physical church, however, was only the starting point: over the following decade the interior and furnishings were steadily expanded, with the addition of a carillon, a copper baptismal font, three stained-glass windows, a processional cross, and a statue of the parish's patron saint. The parish itself was not formally granted official "parish" status until 1963, even though it had already been functioning as a place of worship since its consecration. Who is the church named after? The church takes its name from Saint John Bosco (Giovanni Bosco), an Italian priest and educator who founded the Salesian order and was canonized in 1934. He is particularly venerated as a patron of young people and youth education, a theme that resonated strongly with post-war Belgium's wave of new church construction dedicated to saints associated with social and educational work. What can visitors see inside? The interior of Don Boscokerk holds a small but notable collection of religious art. One highlight is a copper half-relief depicting Jesus, Saint Peter, and a fishing boat — a scene referencing the biblical account of the miraculous catch of fish. Another significant feature is the set of Stations of the Cross, executed in terracotta by sculptor Camiel Colruyt in 1960, produced during the same decade in which much of the church's decorative program was assembled. What is the parish's current status? In recent years the story of Don Boscokerk has taken an unusual turn. The parish community sought recognition as a so-called "labo-kerk" (laboratory church), a designation that would have allowed greater pastoral flexibility and experimental forms of community life. Instead, in 2024 the community was expelled from the official structures of the Catholic Church and has since continued as an independent faith community, operating outside the formal diocesan framework. Despite this change in canonical status, the group retained the right to hold services and gatherings in the same building. Where exactly is it located? The church stands in Buizingen, a locality that forms part of the town of Halle, situated along the main Alsembergsesteenweg road amid the residential area of this part of the municipality. Its location makes it an easily identifiable landmark for anyone moving through Buizingen, with the square bell tower standing out clearly against the surrounding houses. Frequently asked questions Is Don Boscokerk still a Catholic church? Formally, since 2024 the community has operated outside the structures of the Catholic Church as an independent faith community, although it has kept the ability to hold services in the same building. Who is the church's patron saint? Saint John Bosco, the Italian priest and founder of the Salesian order, known for his work with young people. What artworks can be found inside? A copper half-relief showing Jesus, Peter, and a fishing boat, along with a set of terracotta Stations of the Cross created by Camiel Colruyt in 1960. When was the church consecrated? On 30 December 1951, by Bishop Emiel-Jozef De Smedt.

Sint-Barbarakerk

Sint-Barbarakerk is a neo-Romanesque parish church in Sint-Genesius-Rode (Rhode-Saint-Genèse), a municipality just south of Brussels in the Flemish Brabant province of Belgium. The church stands in the De Hoek district and is dedicated to Saint Barbara, traditionally venerated as the patron saint of miners, metalworkers, and people exposed to sudden violent death or explosions. Why was this parish founded? The story of the church is tied to the growth of De Hoek itself. Around the turn of the 20th century, this part of Sint-Genesius-Rode expanded rapidly, partly because a train station opened nearby, making the area more accessible and appealing as a place to live. As the population grew, the district needed a religious center of its own rather than relying solely on the municipality's older, historic parish. The response to that need was the founding of a separate Saint Barbara parish in 1900. The architecture of the church Sint-Barbarakerk was built in the neo-Romanesque style — an architectural movement that, throughout the 19th century, drew on the forms of medieval church building: solid, weighty volumes, rounded arches over windows and portals, and restrained brick or stone facades. This style was widely used at the time for new parish churches across Belgium, since it allowed communities to erect a building with a clearly sacred, dignified character rooted in the visual tradition of the Catholic Church, without the cost of a fully Gothic-revival design. Adding a parish hall A church rarely serves only as a place of liturgy — a parish also needs space for meetings, catechism classes, and community events. In 1953, decades after the church itself was completed, a parish hall was built behind the church building. This is a common pattern for Belgian parishes: the church comes first as the liturgical heart of the community, and in the following decades supporting facilities are added for the everyday life of the parish — gatherings, celebrations, and the activities of parish organizations. Location Sint-Barbarakerk sits at approximately 50.74°N, 4.37°E, in the heart of De Hoek, one of the districts of the municipality of Sint-Genesius-Rode. The municipality lies within the so-called Brussels periphery, straddling the linguistic and administrative border between the Brussels-Capital Region and Flanders, which makes it a popular residential area for people who work in the capital but prefer a quieter, more suburban setting. Frequently asked questions Who is the church dedicated to? The church is dedicated to Saint Barbara, traditionally honored as the patron saint of miners and of people facing sudden, violent death. When was the parish established? The Saint Barbara parish was established in 1900, in response to the rapid population growth of the De Hoek district. Why was a church built here specifically? The direct trigger was the growing population of De Hoek, driven in part by the arrival of a train station, which made this part of the municipality far more accessible. What else stands next to the church? A parish hall was built behind the church in 1953 and has served the local community ever since. In what architectural style is the church built? The building is neo-Romanesque, a style widely used for parish churches erected in Belgium around the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Sint-Laurentiuskerk

Sint-Pieters-Leeuw

Sint-Laurentiuskerk is the parish church of Sint-Laureins-Berchem, a village now part of the municipality of Sint-Pieters-Leeuw in Flemish Brabant, standing on Sint-Laureinsstraat. Behind its gothic façade lies a history stretching back to a medieval manor chapel, layered with centuries of rebuilding and legend. How did this site begin? The origins trace back to a manor chapel whose rights passed in 1164 to the Abbey of Affligem, together with the rights to the nearby chapel of Oudenaken. Before that, the parish of Sint-Laureins-Berchem may have belonged to the estates of Ghent's Sint-Baafs Abbey. Local tradition adds a colorful layer: a wooden chapel supposedly consecrated as early as the 5th century by Saint Remigius, said to have been struck by lightning before an early Romanesque church rose in its place. What survived the religious conflicts of the 16th century? During the religious turmoil at the end of the 16th century, the church was largely destroyed. Only the stair towers survived the destruction, making them the oldest surviving fabric of the building today — physical remnants of a structure that predates the current gothic church by centuries. Where does the present gothic church come from? The gothic Sint-Laurentiuskerk visible today dates from the 15th century. It was expanded in stages over the following centuries: a side aisle was added in the 17th century, an entrance portal followed in the 18th century, and another side aisle was built in the early 20th century. The result is a building where medieval stonework sits alongside later additions, each period leaving its own mark on the structure. Is the church a protected monument? Yes. Sint-Laurentiuskerk was listed as a protected monument by Royal Decree of 20 February 1939. The protection covers the building as a whole, including its oldest surviving elements — the stair towers that predate the gothic rebuilding. Why is it worth a visit? Sint-Laurentiuskerk is more than a place of worship — it is a tangible record of local history, from its legendary origins through the destruction of the religious wars to a gradual, multi-century expansion. For anyone exploring Sint-Pieters-Leeuw and the surrounding area of Flemish Brabant, it offers a compact example of how a small rural parish church can accumulate architectural layers — gothic, baroque-era additions, and early 20th-century extensions — within a single structure. Frequently asked questions Where exactly is Sint-Laurentiuskerk located? The church stands on Sint-Laureinsstraat in Sint-Laureins-Berchem, a village that belongs to the municipality of Sint-Pieters-Leeuw in the province of Flemish Brabant. How old is the church? The current gothic structure dates from the 15th century, though the site's history goes back much further, to a medieval manor chapel and a legendary 5th-century origin. What remains from before the 16th-century destruction? Only the stair towers of the earlier, early Romanesque church survived the religious conflicts of the late 16th century; the rest of the building was destroyed. Is the church a listed heritage site? Yes, it has been protected as a monument by Royal Decree since 20 February 1939. What was added to the church over the centuries? A side aisle in the 17th century, an entrance portal in the 18th century, and a second side aisle in the early 20th century.

Sint-Pietersbandenkerk

Sint-Pietersbandenkerk is a neo-Gothic parish church in Oudenaken, a village that forms part of the municipality of Sint-Pieters-Leeuw in Flemish Brabant. Standing on a gentle rise at the heart of the village, the building served as the main place of worship for the local community for well over a century. How old is this church, really? The parish itself traces back much further than the current building. Its roots lie in a small ninth-century manorial chapel (a so-called villakerkje), which for centuries formed a single parish together with the neighbouring village of Sint-Laureins-Berchem. In 1160 both chapels were donated to the Abbey of Affligem, which held patronage rights over them. A century later, in 1260, the two chapels were split into separate parishes, only to be reunited again in 1619 — an arrangement that lasted into the modern era. The building visitors see today, however, is not the one from that long history. An eighteenth-century church that had served the parish for generations was demolished around 1910. In its place, a new and considerably larger church was built between 1910 and 1911 in the neo-Gothic style — the structure that still stands in Oudenaken and carries the dedication to Saint Peter in Chains (Sint-Pieters-Banden). What does the building look like? Sint-Pietersbandenkerk was designed as a neo-Gothic hall church, a style widely used across Belgium around the turn of the twentieth century. Typical features of this design include tall pointed windows, steep roofs, and a slender tower that rises above the surrounding buildings, acting as a landmark visible from the farmland stretching around Oudenaken. Inside, hall churches of this type typically favour a unified nave space rather than the strict division into a central nave and side aisles found in basilica-style churches. Is the church still used for religious services? No. Since 2017, no religious services have taken place in Sint-Pietersbandenkerk, and the building has since been formally deconsecrated. This reflects a broader pattern seen across many Belgian municipalities, where declining congregations have made it increasingly difficult to justify maintaining historic churches solely for religious use. What is planned for the building next? Rather than being left to decay, the church has been earmarked for redevelopment. The municipality of Sint-Pieters-Leeuw has decided to give the building a new, secular purpose: the renovated church in Oudenaken is set to reopen in March 2027 as a new community hall, available to residents for meetings, cultural events, and local initiatives. This adaptive-reuse approach is becoming increasingly common in Belgium, allowing historic religious buildings to gain a second life as public spaces while preserving their original silhouette — including the distinctive tower still visible from the fields around the village. Why visit Oudenaken? Oudenaken itself is a small, quiet village with an agricultural character, typical of the Pajottenland region south-west of Brussels. Despite losing its original function, Sint-Pietersbandenkerk remains the most recognisable landmark in the village and a physical witness to over a thousand years of local religious history — from a medieval manorial chapel, through centuries under the patronage of the Abbey of Affligem, to its present-day transformation into a space for the community. Frequently asked questions Are religious services still held here? No, the building has not been used for worship since 2017. When was the current building constructed? The present neo-Gothic church dates from 1910–1911, replacing an earlier eighteenth-century church on the same site. What will the church be used for in the future? It is being converted into a community hall, with reopening planned for March 2027.

Sint-Lutgardiskerk

Sint-Pieters-Leeuw

Sint-Lutgardiskerk is the parish church of Zuun, a district of the municipality of Sint-Pieters-Leeuw in Flemish Brabant, standing on Arthur Quintusstraat. Dedicated to Saint Lutgardis, a mystic venerated across the region, the church has served as the religious and social heart of this small community on the outskirts of Brussels for well over a century. How did the parish in Zuun come about? Zuun's proximity to the Brussels agglomeration led to rapid population growth in the second half of the 19th century. To meet the needs of these new residents, a chapel dedicated to Saint Lutgardis was put into use in 1896. According to local tradition, this neo-Gothic hall building was erected out of gratitude for the healing of Countess Antoinette van der Dilft. That same year, an auxiliary parish was formally established around the chapel, marking the true beginning of the Sint-Lutgardis community in Zuun. What did the church look like before it was rebuilt? The original 19th-century chapel served the faithful for decades before being replaced only in the 1970s. This means that for most of its history, the parish relied on a modest neo-Gothic structure, and the much larger church standing today is, by comparison, a fairly recent addition set against the community's older religious roots. Who designed the current building? The modern hall church, together with its adjoining parish center, was designed by Antwerp architect Frans De Groodt. Construction stretched over more than a decade, from 1965 to 1976, reflecting a substantial undertaking for what was, at the time, a relatively small municipality. The new structure replaced the original chapel while preserving the parish's dedication and identity, which trace back to the late 19th century. What artistic features are worth noticing inside? The interior features work by local artist Luc Van Ruysevelt, who created the statue of Saint Lutgardis, the church's patron saint, and also designed the distinctive, stylized figure of Christ placed at the front of the building. These elements give the church a recognizable identity that sets it apart from many post-war modernist churches elsewhere in Belgium. Frequently asked questions Where exactly is the church located? On Arthur Quintusstraat in Zuun, a district of the municipality of Sint-Pieters-Leeuw in the province of Flemish Brabant. Is this an old church? The parish itself is over 120 years old, having been established in 1896, but the current building is considerably younger — it was constructed between 1965 and 1976, replacing the original neo-Gothic chapel. Why is the church dedicated to Saint Lutgardis? According to local tradition, the original chapel was built as a votive offering of gratitude for the healing of Countess Antoinette van der Dilft, and Saint Lutgardis was chosen as the parish's patron. Who is responsible for the artwork inside the church? Local artist Luc Van Ruysevelt created both the statue of the patron saint and the figure of Christ displayed at the front of the church. Is it worth combining a visit with another route in the area? The church serves as the starting point of a local walking route around Zuun (the so-called Zuunwandeling), making it a convenient launch point for a short scenic walk through the neighborhood.

Onze-Lieve-Vrouwkerk

Sint-Pieters-Leeuw

Onze-Lieve-Vrouwkerk is the parish church of Vlezenbeek, a village within the municipality of Sint-Pieters-Leeuw in the Flemish Brabant province of Belgium. The church stands on the village's central square, known simply as Dorp, and has served as a landmark for this small community west of Brussels for centuries. How did the site's history begin? Marian devotion in Vlezenbeek can be traced back to a chapel built beside a spring known as the Merselborre, which was believed to have miraculous properties. Over time a Romanesque church replaced the chapel, and inside it worshippers venerated a statue of Mary regarded as miraculous. The cult drew so many visitors that Vlezenbeek developed into a pilgrimage destination. Until 1305 the settlement was ecclesiastically dependent on the parish of Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, whose patronage rights belonged to the Holy Sepulchre abbey in Cambrai. In that year Vlezenbeek was granted independent parish status, and the earlier chapel was replaced by a church. The turmoil of the religious conflicts at the end of the 16th century struck the community hard: the original miraculous statue of Mary, along with the parish archive, was destroyed. Despite this loss, devotion continued — a new polychrome wooden statue of Mary was created in 1589 and still stands in the church today. How did the building itself evolve? The oldest surviving parts of the current structure are the early Gothic choir, dating from the 14th century, while the core of the nave dates from the 14th or 15th century. The tower, positioned at the junction between the nave and the choir, was built in 1616. Successive building phases left clearly visible traces on the exterior walls, so the church's outer form still reads as a record of its own construction history. The baroque-influenced portal in the west facade bears the date "Anno 1673" carved into the arch imposts. The building has been a protected heritage monument since 1976. What can visitors see inside? Much of the interior furnishing dates from the 18th century and is executed in the Baroque style. The main altar was completed in 1738. The north side altar, from the same year, is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and today houses the 1589 statue described above. The south side altar, dedicated to Saint Anthony, is later, dating from 1808. The pulpit, also Baroque in style, was carved in 1680. Frequently asked questions Is the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwkerk in Vlezenbeek the same building as Antwerp's Cathedral of Our Lady? No. These are two distinct buildings that happen to share a similar patronal name — Antwerp's cathedral is a monumental Gothic structure famous for its Rubens paintings, while the Vlezenbeek church is a much smaller village parish church in the municipality of Sint-Pieters-Leeuw. Where exactly is the church located? On the central village square (Dorp) of Vlezenbeek, part of the municipality of Sint-Pieters-Leeuw in Flemish Brabant, west of Brussels. Why did Vlezenbeek become a pilgrimage site? Because of a statue of Mary venerated here since the Middle Ages as miraculous, and the nearby Merselborre spring, which was credited with special properties. Has the original medieval statue of Mary survived? No — the original statue and the parish archive were destroyed during the religious conflicts of the late 16th century. The current polychrome wooden statue dates from 1589. Since when has the building been a protected monument? The church was listed as a protected heritage site in 1976.

Sint-Judocuskerk (Maleizen)

Sint-Judocuskerk is a small parish church in Maleizen, a village belonging to the municipality of Overijse in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant. Standing along the Terhulpensesteenweg, the building remains the main landmark of this quiet settlement — not a mass-tourism draw, but a rewarding stop for anyone interested in the low-key, authentic corners of the Belgian countryside. Where does the church's name come from? The church is dedicated to Saint Judocus (Sint-Judocus in Dutch, also known as Josse), a 7th-century Breton prince who gave up his claim to power to live as a hermit and pilgrim. His veneration was widespread across the medieval Low Countries and northern France, which explains why chapels and churches bearing his name appear throughout the region — Maleizen's church being one of them. How old is the site's history? Devotion to Saint Judocus at Maleizen goes back to the early 14th century: a chaplaincy dedicated to the saint was established in 1310, at a time when the area fell under the parish of nearby Terhulpen (La Hulpe). The chapel building itself, as known from later depictions, first appears in imagery dating to the late 17th century — the oldest surviving representation is from 1695. For generations the chapel served the local community, but by the early 19th century its condition had clearly deteriorated: records from 1802 already describe it as being in a poor state of repair. When was the current church built? More than sixty years after that description of decline, the community decided to replace the old chapel with a permanent, purpose-built church. The new building went up in 1865, designed by the architect Louis Spaak. The old chapel wasn't demolished immediately — it continued to stand until 1883, when it was finally sold and torn down, with the proceeds used to help fund the new church. This kind of financing, selling off old parish property to bankroll a new one, was a fairly typical approach for 19th-century church building in the Belgian countryside. What architectural style does the building follow? Sint-Judocuskerk is a single-nave brick church built in the neo-Romanesque style that was popular across Belgium in the second half of the 19th century. A defining feature of its silhouette is the tower integrated directly into the front facade — a common solution for rural churches of the period, where the tower doubles as bell tower and the main visual landmark seen from a distance. The chancel end of the building is closed off by a semicircular apse, and the church is oriented toward the northwest rather than the traditional eastward orientation found in older medieval churches. What's worth seeing inside? The most valuable piece in the church's furnishings is a 17th-century statue of Saint Judocus, the oldest surviving sacred object connected to the original devotion that predates the current building. Most of the remaining interior decoration dates from the second half of the 19th century and follows the neo-Gothic style, matching the era in which the church itself was constructed. A handful of sacred artworks were added around 1965, showing that the church continued to be actively used and enriched by successive generations of parishioners. Who is this place for? Sint-Judocuskerk suits travelers exploring the Overijse area and the Ijse valley who appreciate lesser-known local religious heritage — a calm alternative to the more heavily visited attractions of the greater Brussels region. It's also a worthwhile stop for anyone interested in 19th-century church architecture or following the trail of Saint Judocus veneration across the Low Countries.