Hidden amongst the elegant streets of Brussels stands the Église des Pères du Saint-Sacrement a testament to faith perseverance and architectural evolution. This magnificent church is more than just a place of worship. It is a living history book its stones whispering tales of devotion transformation and the enduring spirit of a community.
Our story begins in 1842 with Lieutenant Colonel Charles-Joseph Claret inheriting a country house and its garden. This seemingly ordinary property would become the unexpected birthplace of our beautiful Église des Pères du Saint-Sacrement. Upon the Colonel’s death in 1867 his son sold the estate to Mademoiselle de Thomaz a woman with a grand vision. She dreamed of establishing a residence and study center for the Priests of the Blessed Sacrament a congregation founded in Paris in 1856 by Father Pierre-Julien Eymard.
Mademoiselle de Thomaz’s ambitious project received the Cardinal Sterckx’s approval. In November 1867 the congregation moved in establishing a small chapel within the existing house. This served the growing Leopold Quarter a vibrant new area of Brussels that needed spiritual guidance. But the small chapel soon proved insufficient for the expanding community.
The construction of a new church commenced in the summer of 1869 thanks to Mademoiselle de Thomaz’s generosity. Architect Jean-Baptiste Bethune a co-founder of the first Saint-Luc school was entrusted with the plans. The foundation stone was laid on October 3 1869 a significant moment in the history of the Église des Pères du Saint-Sacrement. However the initial designs underwent unexpected alterations. Architect-contractor M L Gildemyn made significant changes without Bethune’s knowledge. The church was consecrated on September 3 1874. Its unfinished crypt was opened for worship a year later.
The original church layout differed dramatically from what we see today. It featured two distinct levels a grand upper church and a lower crypt. This design was later repeated in other buildings constructed by the congregation. The upper church was accessed by a ramp from a side courtyard. The church was not built directly facing the road but at a slight angle. The priests insisted it face East towards the rising sun.
The interior design however proved unpopular. The church was not attracting many worshippers. This prompted major alterations barely a decade after its completion. In May 1883 architect Gustave Hansotte took on the renovation project. He unified the upper and lower churches by removing the separating floor. He then added side aisles to counterbalance the increased height. He also constructed a secondary chapel dedicated to Saint Madeleine mirroring the original crypt’s function. The official inauguration took place from November 15-22 1883. All works were completed by the summer of 1886.
Simultaneously a new convent was built next to the church replacing the temporary one. This involved significant excavation due to the sloping terrain. A supporting wall constructed towards Rue du Viaduc unfortunately collapsed. The commune then authorized a rebuilt wall in September 1885 demanding stronger foundations.
Further modifications continued throughout the years. In 1925 architect François Cornelis added a small polygonal chapel dedicated to Father Eymard. The congregation also erected a two-story red-brick wing adjacent to the left aisle. Another additional floor was added to the rear building in 1932 designed by architect A Dankelman. In 1976 the interior underwent a drastic change. A false ceiling and a dividing wall shortened the choir. In 2003 however this alteration was reversed during a major renovation. This restored the church’s original grandeur.
Today the Église des Pères du Saint-Sacrement stands as a beacon of faith and resilience. It serves as a vibrant spiritual hub for the La Viale-Europe community. Its remarkable story speaks volumes about its enduring spirit its architectural evolution. Its journey reflects the constant adaptation of faith to the changing times. As you stand before this magnificent building take a moment to appreciate its rich history and its enduring legacy.