Opened in 1864, the Cimetiere de Molenbeek-Saint-Jean replaced the old parish cemetery. It surrounds the Church of St. John the Baptist. The old cemetery had simply become too small. Its last remains were cleared in 1932.
Today the Cimetiere de Molenbeek-Saint-Jean concentrates a considerable protected heritage. This includes funeral galleries and a columbarium. They were initially designed for Laeken Cemetery. The cemetery also boasts several chapels. The ensemble extends over 1.5 hectares. That is about 3.7 acres.
The Cimetiere de Molenbeek-Saint-Jean is located at 539, Chaussee de Gand. That’s in the west of the municipality. Joseph Praet designed the Molenbeek municipal cemetery.
Its iron gates were made by Wauters-Koeckx. You can see their name inscribed on the gates. Also inscribed are Molenbeek Lez Bruxelles and the year 1864.
The Cimetiere de Molenbeek-Saint-Jean contains fine examples of 19th-century funerary art. The burial galleries and columbarium are particularly noteworthy. They date back to 1880. Emile Bockstael spurred their construction. This followed his earlier initiative at Laeken Cemetery.
Don’t miss the Art Nouveau funerary monument. It commemorates the des Cressonnieres family. Victor Horta created it in 1894. Also of note is the tomb of the Beelaert family. It features a bronze sculpture by Amedee Hamoir. Look for the funerary monument of the Jean De Maerschalck family by Ernest Salu.
Many notable people are buried here at the Cimetiere de Molenbeek-Saint-Jean. Jan Frantz De Mol rests here. He was a composer. Julien Hanssens is interred here. He served as mayor from 1912 to 1914. Henri Hollevoet is also buried here. He was mayor from 1879 to 1911.
Ernest Kindermans rests here. He founded the Kaaitheater. Eugene Laermans is interred here. He was a painter and engraver. Edmond Machtens is also buried here. He was mayor from 1939 to 1978. Louise Charlotte Massart is here. She was a dramaturge.
Other notable figures include Louis Mettewie. He was mayor from 1919 to 1938. Henry Meuwis rests here. He was a painter. Sander Pierron is interred here. He was a writer and art critic.
Jean-Baptiste Piron is also buried here. He was a military officer. He is best known for his role in the Free Belgian forces during World War II. Edouard Van Haelen rests here. He was a swimmer and 1920 Summer Olympics medalist.
The cemetery’s galleries were built in phases. This occurred between 1880 and 1910. The first galleries were built to plans by R. Rysman. He was a municipal land surveyor and architect. The octagonal pavilion with a dome was designed in 1903. J.B. Janssen designed it. He was a municipal inspector of public works. It was built in 1905.
The architectural proportions and sober style give the whole a stately character. The restoration of the Molenbeek cemetery’s burial galleries has been completed. It boasts historical artistic aesthetic and social value. It was protected as a monument by decree of March 22, 2007.