Doesn’t the \u00c9glise du Divin Sauveur stand as a testament to architectural evolution? It began as a vision in the 1930s and transformed over the decades. The \u00c9glise du Divin Sauveur’s story starts with Madame Segers. She was born Waucquez and her generous donation made the church possible.
L\u00e9onard Homez, the architect, drew up the plans in 1935. Homez also designed the Sainte-Alix Church. The first stone was laid on September 22, 1935. The inauguration took place on May 6, 1937. Originally, the \u00c9glise du Divin Sauveur had a single nave. It led to a rectangular chancel. A sacristy and a store flanked the chancel. A small tower was planned for the main facade’s axis but was never built. This was due to lack of funds.
After World War II, the area urbanized rapidly. The \u00c9glise du Divin Sauveur needed to expand. Jean Dehasse designed the extension in 1955. The chancel was replaced with a transept. A new chancel was built in the same style. A winter chapel was added between an annex and a tower-porch. This created a modern ensemble. The project faced modifications and the permit was only issued in 1963. The work concluded in 1967. Like before, the tower remained unbuilt.
In 1947, a presbytery designed by Paul Ramon was added. It is located at no269-271. In 1960, a parish school called \u00c9cole du Divin Sauveur was built. These were temporary pavilions. H. Van den Berghe was the architect. The school was largely rebuilt in 2007.
The original part of the \u00c9glise du Divin Sauveur features brick facades. White stone enhances them. A concrete cornice extends widely. The front facade has two levels flanked by articulated buttresses. The first level has arched openings. A large central portal has recessed voussures. Small geminate windows flank it. Above, a high window has five stair-stepped lights and brick mullions. The gable has coping and is topped with a stone cross.
The side facades are nearly identical. They align five triplets under gables and a perpendicular roof. The layout resembles the main facade. Trapezoidal projections punctuate each elevation. These house confessionals. Small geminate windows mirror those on the avenue. Near the left facade is the first stone. It was moved there during the chancel’s expansion.
Black tiles cover the main and perpendicular roofs. The oak door and frames have been preserved. Pierre Majerus designed the stained-glass windows. They were installed in 1985. The high window depicts the Tree of Jesse. White opalescent glass is used extensively.
Inside, a porch is flanked by a baptistery and a votive chapel. Wrought iron grilles adorn the chapel. Above, behind a parabolic brick arcade, is the organ tribune. It has an openwork parapet on cubic corbels. The nave has brick walls with recesses. It has five bays under a coated parabolic cradle vault with lunettes. Double arches mark the bays. The confessionals are integrated into the masonry. Yellow and brown ceramic tiles pave the floor. Isidore Van Mens painted the Stations of the Cross in 1937-1938. The Merklin-Schutze organ was made in 1857. It was acquired by the parish in 1966.
The transept and new chancel continue the original style and materials. The transept gables have seven stair-stepped lights. The chancel has a blind chevet. It is lit by a large window with two mullions on the left. Inside, the transept crossing has a groin vault on parabolic arcades. The chancel and transept arms have cradle vaults. The chancel is elevated with black marble and travertine flooring. The black marble high altar from 1935 is topped by a cross. A door leads to the sacristy. The sacristy is housed in the annex building. The baptismal fonts from 1935 are in the left transept.
The chapel and annex building face Rue Aim\u00e9 Smekens. They have blue stone facades with paired windows. School rooms and the bell chamber are above the chapel. The facade is openwork and adorned with a Greek cross. The metal frames have been preserved. The oblong chapel has two pillars, plastered walls, and a wood-paneled ceiling. A tribune is on one small side. A projecting porch crosses a wall of translucent concrete stained glass. Louis Stroobant created the stained glass. Two square windows also feature this stained glass. The altar is on a circular blue stone base. Odette Gr\u00e9goire created the cloisonn\u00e9 enamel tabernacle. The Slegers-Causard foundry made the bell in 1946. Mauritz Nevens and Hermann Mortier created the abstract stained-glass windows. These were placed between 1974 and 1979.
The \u00c9glise du Divin Sauveur stands as a proud landmark in Schaerbeek. Its evolution reflects the changing times. It embodies artistic, aesthetic, and historical significance. The building was listed on the legal inventory on August 19, 2024.