Did you know that the construction of this church was driven by the local residents? Let’s explore the history of the Église Notre-Dame du Sacré-Cœur. It is also known as the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe-van-het-Heilig-Hartkerk.
This Catholic church stands proudly in the Rinsdelle neighborhood of Etterbeek. You can find it at Tervaetestraat 24. The church’s construction took place in two phases. It began after the neighborhood residents requested it. Approval was granted in 1925.
Edmond Serneels designed the Église Notre-Dame du Sacré-Cœur in a Neo-Romanesque style. However, financial constraints forced a change. During the second phase, the church’s length was shortened due to lack of funds. Jean Stillemans was an engineer-architect involved in the second phase. The church was built between 1926 and 1928. In 1929, it was consecrated.
Look at the red brick facade. It is built on a base of blue stone. Notice the rectangular design with five bays. On the left, a small pavilion features arched windows. Stone colonettes separate these windows. A central baldachin portal is framed by a round arch. Above it, a large gable displays upper windows and semi-blind arches. To the right, a square bell tower rises. It includes a round-arched door and an oculus. Partially blind arches also adorn the tower. The belfry sits beneath the spire.
Inside the Église Notre-Dame du Sacré-Cœur, much of the decor is the work of “La Croix Latine”. This group of artists was led by Benedictine monk Dom Martin and Anto Carte. The nave is flanked by two aisles of equal height. The ceiling is flat with coffers. Four red brick columns with white stone bands support the structure. Impressive capitals crown these columns. They separate the central vessel from the aisles. Triplets of windows illuminate the aisles. Some windows feature stained glass. Others are clear.
Fernand Colpaert created four of the stained-glass windows in the Art Deco style. In 1947, Jacques Colpaert created the “Miraculous Catch” window. Another window commemorates the liberation of Brussels.
Above the arched porch, a painted panel by Anto Carte depicts the “Dormition of the Virgin”. Carte also designed the large rose window in the choir in 1928. It shows the “Virgin and Child” surrounded by musical angels. He also created the “Annunciation” to the right of the choir. Additionally, Carte designed the stained glass in the main facade’s upper window. These three windows depict scenes from the Gospels. They include the “Assumption of Mary” and the “Holy Trinity”. The “Baptism of Christ” is represented in the old baptistery.
The choir has a flat chevet. An archway leads to the corridor. This corridor connects the chapel and sacristy. Two registers of windows illuminate the choir. The lower register has triplets of windows. The upper register has six arched windows.
Two chapels flank the choir. Each chapel is lit by three windows. Sculptures of saints adorn the walls. They include Saint Joseph, Saint Anna, Saint Joachim, and Saint Joannes Berchmans. Van De Capellen sculpted the Stations of the Cross.
Colin, a marble worker, created the altars. He also made the communion benches and the baptismal font. The statue of Notre-Dame du Sacré-Cœur is the work of sculptor Van Perck. In 1954, Jozef Loncke built the modern-style organ. It is located to the left of the choir. A railing protects the lateral tribune.
The Église Notre-Dame du Sacré-Cœur stands as a testament to community effort. Its art and architecture reflect both faith and resilience.