Marvelous aren’t they these cherub heads? They grace the holy water fonts inside Notre-Dame du Secours – Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Bijstand. This isn’t just any church. It’s a treasure chest of Baroque splendor. It holds centuries of stories within its walls.
Notre-Dame du Secours – Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Bijstand stands proudly in Brussels’ heart. Its history stretches back far beyond its current Baroque form. The site held a guesthouse for pilgrims traveling to Santiago de Compostela. This was in the twelfth century. Can you imagine the weary travelers seeking rest here?
In 1625 a miraculous statue of Mary was discovered. Devotion surged. The original chapel became too small. So construction of the present church began in 1664. It took thirty years. Three architects succeeded each other. Jan Cortvrindt designed the initial plans. Pieter-Paul Merckx and Willem de Bruyn continued the work after his death.
The finished church is a wonder. A blend of Italian Baroque principles and traditional building styles. It’s a unique design. The shortened nave connects to a central structure under a hexagonal dome. Three semicircular apses extend from the dome.
But Notre-Dame du Secours – Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Bijstand hasn’t had an easy life. Barely a year after its completion it was damaged by bombardment. The roofs the dome plaster and furniture were destroyed. Extensive repairs followed. The French Revolution closed the church in 1797. It reopened in 1803. The current bell tower replaced an older one removed in 1727.
Step inside Notre-Dame du Secours – Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Bijstand. Admire the main altar. A stunning mix of marble and painted wood from 1705. It’s based on a drawing by Jan Pieter van Baurscheit the Elder. Medallions by Gilles-Lambert Godecharle depict Joachim and Saint Anne Mary’s parents. Notice the innovative galleries above the side aisles. And those cherub heads on the holy water fonts? They are the work of Gabriel Grupello.
From its humble beginnings as a pilgrim’s guesthouse to its current glory Notre-Dame du Secours – Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Bijstand stands as a testament to faith resilience and artistic brilliance. This church is more than just stones and mortar. It is a living breathing part of Brussels’ soul. A place where history echoes in the quiet grandeur of its Baroque heart.