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Notre-Dame de la Chapelle Church in Brussels, Belgium photo by unknown author

Top 10 Remarquable Facts about Church of Notre-Dame de la Chapelle

In the ancient neighborhood of Brussels les Marolles, there is a Belgian church called the Church of Our Lady of the Chapel. It has the deepest historical roots of any city landmark.

A charter dated 1134 and signed by Duke Godefroid le Barbu attests to the existence of a chapel in this location. By signing this document, he gave a chapel he had constructed to Benedictine monks from the Abbey of the Holy Sepulcher of Cambrai, who established a priory, and placed it “extra oppidum Bruxellae” (beyond the walls of Brussels). Henri I of Brabant, who names the chapel “Capella Beatae Mariae extra muros oppidi Bruxellae” (beyond the walls of Brussels).

The Chapel Church has been  a key piece in the transition from the Romanesque to the Gothic styles because of its stormy history. That include of  stages of partial destruction, fire, looting, bombing, and reconstructions, transformations, and restorations.

The Top 10 Remarkable Facts About the Church of Notre-Dame de la Chapelle are listed below.

1.It is a triumph of Gothic style construction

The impressive Romanesque-Gothic Church of Notre Dame de la Chapelle (Our Lady of the Chapel) was built in the 13th and 14th centuries. Architecturally speaking, it shows a transition between Gothic and Romanesque designs.

It is one of the most intriguing cathedrals in Brussels because of its striking appearance. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the church underwent a number of renovations, although the overall architectural style has not changed. Two internal chapels honor two significant historical individuals.

2.A fascinating collection of artworks has been housed in the Church of Notre-Dame de la Chapelle

Pulpit Ceiling of the Church of Our Lady of the Chapel, Brussels, Belgium photo by Zairon –

An interesting collection of sculptures, furniture, stained glass, and paintings (by Hendrick de Clerck) may be seen in the different side chapels.

Some these sculptures, furniture , paintings and stained glass might include of,  the baptismal font which dates from 1475, The Pulpit of truth dating from1721  which has been the work of Pierre-Denis Plumier. And also the theme of the Angel of God feeding prophet Elijah in the desert. It was inspired by the biblical passage from the first books of Kings.

There is also a pretty wooden statue of Margaret of Antioch that dates from the 16th century. A copy of a painting by Pierre- Paul Rubens ( Jesus handling over the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven to Simon who had become peter).

3. The church of Notre-Dame de la Chapelle has been there for almost a thousand years

The current church was built in the 13th century, but there has been a church on this location since 1134. Tough the church was destroyed by French forces during the bombardment of Brussels in 1695 during the war of the great alliance.

4. It might be famous for being the burial site of Francois Anneessens

Perhaps the church’s most notable claim to fame is that it serves as the final resting place for Francois Anneessens. He was a prominent figure from Brussels who was murdered for advocating civil rights. Additionally, there is a chapel honoring Pieter Breughel the Elder. Also there are also several funerary monuments in the church.

5. There are also two different instruments  that have been housed in the church of  Notre-Dame de la Chapelle

Choir of the Church of Our Lady of the Chapel, Brussels, Belgium photo by Zairon

It has been a home to two distinct instruments. The gallery organ which was built by PIerre Schyven in 1890. It is in the romantic style. And includes of 22 stops spread over two keyboards and pedals. The sideboard in oak that was built in two bodies in neo- Gothic style.

Also the organ repertoire which has been full works written for mid-tone and short octave temperament. It extends throughout the renaissance and has a good part of the Baroque era. This organ has 8 stops , 47 keyboards and 25 note hung pedalboard.

6. It has been restored several time in 13 th and 14 century

In 1405 a fire destroyed the non-vaulted parts.  Especially the central nave which was covered with a flat ceiling. The nave was  rebuilt in the Brabantine Gothic style and enlarges with side chapels.

The church was ransacked in 1574 by Calvinists who destroyed its furnishings. It was reformed in 1579 and returned to catholic worship in 1585. Some parts of the structure were damaged during the bombardment of Brussels by the French army as part of the War of Grand alliance.

It was restored once again from 1699 to 1708 . The spire of the west tower was replaced by the current Baroque Slate bell tower. It was designed by Brussel architect Antoine Pastorana.

In 1751, a sacristy was built to the south of the choir. The church closed in 1797, under the French regime, and reopened in 1803. The church has been restored several times; starting in 1866, continuing in the 1930s, and again in 1989, during which time an archaeological reconstruction aimed at restoring the original state of the different building phases. 

7. The church of  Notre-Dame de la Chapelle was founded in 1134 by Count Godfrey I of Louvain

Notre-Dame de la Chapelle Church in Brussels, Belgium photo by unknown author

The existence of a chapel in this location which was documented by a charter from 1134 that was signed by Count Godfrey I of Louvain. And in which he donated a chapel built extra oppidum Bruxelli (“outside the fortified center of Brussels”) to Benedictine monks from Abbey of the Holy Sepulcher of Cambrai, who immediately established a priory there. The chapel was named capella beatae Mariae extra muros oppidi Bruxellensis sita by Duke Henri I of Brabant in 1195, extending the monks’ powers (“chapel of the blessed Mary outside the walls of Brussels”).

8.The current church building was constructed in 1210 

In 1210, the chapel underwent conversion to become a church. The chapel, after being expanded, became the parish church in a neighborhood that was growing outside of Brussels’ borders (second parish of the city). In the middle of the 13th century, the project was finished.

9. An image of the Virgin of Czestochowa was respectfully displayed in the Notre-Dame de la Chapelle church

The Polish Catholic community in Brussels is served by the Chapel Church as its parish. The Virgin of Czstochowa’s icon is revered in a side chapel.

10. The church’s exterior features pediments, an apse, and gargoyles.

Gargouille et modillon Notre-Dame de la Chapelle photo by Michel wal

The Romanesque transept and bell tower are still there from the initial construction phase, which took place at the start of the 13th century. The choir, which dates to the second half of the 13th century, is evidence of the Brabantine Gothic style’s debut.

The colorful Gothic architecture of the nave dates back to the 16th-century renovation. The series of triangular pediments alternates on the sides with the thin buttress pinnacles. There are gargoyles on the apse’s exterior as well.