“A church built from a warehouse?” you might ask. Indeed, the Église Saint-Roch has a unique story. Right here, in the heart of Brussels, stands a testament to adaptation and resilience. The Église Saint-Roch wasn’t always this modern structure. Originally, a 19th-century church designed by Raymaekers served the parish. This first Église Saint-Roch, built in 1862, catered to the predominantly industrial area. Given the prevalence of iron and metal workers, the church was dedicated to Saint Roch, their patron saint. The area around Église Saint-Roch changed drastically over the next century. Wartime bombing in 1943 damaged the original structure. Later, urban renewal plans in 1964 led to its demolition in 1971. A promise was made to build a new church. Twenty-five years passed with various proposals failing to materialize. The Catholic community continued to hold services in a nearby industrial hangar. This temporary solution eventually became permanent. In 1993, the transformation began. Architect Vincent Dupont took on the challenge of converting the hangar into a place of worship. The Église Saint-Roch, as we see it today, was consecrated in 1995 by Cardinal Danneels. Dupont’s design cleverly adapted the existing structure. The original hangar’s form influenced the interior layout. You won’t find the traditional divisions of nave, transept, and choir. The entrance is on the side, and the bell mechanism, with its three bells, is visible. The roof is a striking quarter-circle. Square concrete columns support the structure, and the nave flows seamlessly into the choir. The Église Saint-Roch is a testament to innovative architecture, a functional and beautiful space born from an industrial past. Today, a vibrant, largely African, Catholic community thrives here. Daily masses are held. On Sundays, Congolese and Burundian rites, each with their own unique choirs, fill the space with music and life. The Église Saint-Roch stands as a symbol of transformation, a blend of industrial heritage and spiritual renewal in the heart of Brussels.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to