“A church reborn, not once, but twice,” a voice whispers near the Église Sainte-Croix – Heilig-Kruiskerk. This isn’t just any church. It’s a testament to resilience, a blend of architectural styles, and a keeper of fascinating relics. The Église Sainte-Croix – Heilig-Kruiskerk stands near the Ixelles Ponds and Place Flagey. It’s a landmark in the heart of Brussels, a place where history and art intertwine.
The first church on this site, a humble chapel, dates back to 1300. It served the local community for centuries. Then, in 1802, a new church replaced it. But that wasn’t the end of the story. The growing population of Ixelles soon outgrew this second church. It was demolished, making way for the grand neo-Gothic structure we see today. This began in 1859, led by Father Jean Joseph Dox. The Église Sainte-Croix – Heilig-Kruiskerk, designed by architect Van de Wiele, was inaugurated in 1865. Its red brick and French stone exterior embodied the neo-Gothic Flemish style.
However, the church was built on unstable, sandy ground near the Ixelles ponds. This led to cracks and instability. Architect Paul Rome, known for his work on the Koekelberg Basilica, stepped in. Between 1940 and 1942, he encased the fragile neo-Gothic structure within a new Art Deco shell. This created the intriguing blend of styles we admire today. The exterior took on a modernist, Art Deco look. Inside, the neo-Gothic style remained. This created a stark contrast, a visual journey through time within a single building.
The Église Sainte-Croix – Heilig-Kruiskerk houses several notable treasures. Its Art Deco confessionals and side altars offer a glimpse into the 1940s renovation. The stained-glass windows, created by Colpaert and Crespin, cast colorful light onto the interior. But perhaps the most significant relic is a fragment of the True Cross. This relic, encased in a large staurotheque reliquary, is housed within a red marble altar. It’s believed to be the same relic enshrined by Archbishop Jean de Bourgogne in the original 1300s chapel. The church also has an impressive organ, dating back to 1936. It is a collaborative work by Jules Anneessens-Tanghe and August Laukhuff, and embodies the style of post-romantic organ building.
Even the church’s history has intriguing connections to famous figures. Author Marguerite Yourcenar and Cardinal Léon-Joseph Suenens were both baptized at the Église Sainte-Croix – Heilig-Kruiskerk. The church continues to serve as a place of worship, now part of the Sainte-Croix pastoral unit in Ixelles. It shares its mission with the parishes of Notre-Dame de la Cambre/Saint-Philippe Néri, Saint-Boniface, and Saint-Adrien.
The Église Sainte-Croix – Heilig-Kruiskerk is more than just a church. It is a survivor, twice transformed and rebuilt. Its story reflects the ever-changing nature of the city around it. It stands as a reminder of the past while embracing the present, offering a unique experience to every visitor who steps inside.