Marvelous isn’t it? The Église Saint-Denis Sint-Denijskerk stands before you. A testament to time. Its stones whisper tales of centuries past.
The Église Saint-Denis Sint-Denijskerk in Forest near Brussels boasts ancient foundations dating back to the 12th century. The building you see today however largely reflects the 13th century. It’s the parish church of Forest. Declared a historical monument in 1936 its walls hold secrets.
Long before Forest was even a village a shrine existed near the Geleytsbeek stream. In the 7th century Saint Alene or Aline of Dilbeek suffered martyrdom here. An oratory a small chapel was built on the spot. The village of Forest itself emerged in the 11th century. Early in the 12th century a private individual donated a stone dwelling for worship. The patron saint was Saint Denis.
The arrival of a women’s monastic community around 1105 changed things. Sharing the building proved difficult. The nuns were cloistered. The parishioners built a new church. This was the first version of the church we see today. A chapel dedicated to Saint Alene was added later in the 12th century.
By the end of the 13th century the Romanesque structure was replaced. A longer and wider Gothic church rose. This is essentially the church you see now. A simple bell tower was added in the 15th century. It received two extra stories in the 18th century. Chapels dedicated to Saint Joseph and the Virgin Mary were added in the 16th century. Except for a plaster vault added in 1820 and removed during later restoration the church remained largely unchanged.
The French Revolution brought turmoil. The nearby abbey was dismantled. The Église Saint-Denis remained intact. It became a repository for religious art treasures from the abbey. A major restoration in 1925-26 by Chrétien Veraart restored the building’s lost luminosity. The nave windows were freed. A new narthex was created. It replaced a 15th-century hermitage. The narthex’s stone tribune now serves as a jubé a screen separating the nave and choir.
Within the Église Saint-Denis lies the ancient Chapel of Saint Alene. It’s the oldest part of the complex. Romanesque vestiges are clearly visible. The baroque altar dates from the 17th century. Wall paintings depict scenes from Saint Alene’s life. The cenotaph a large funerary slab bearing the image of a nun is the chapel’s centerpiece. Despite the inscription “SCTA HELENA” it dates from after the saint’s death. It was likely added after her canonization around 1193. It was created to satisfy pilgrims visiting the saint’s shrine.
The Église Saint-Denis Sint-Denijskerk stands as a silent observer. A witness to faith devotion and the passage of time. Its stones bear the weight of history. Its beauty endures.