Our Lady of the Rosary
Rue de Jausse 176
5100 Wierde (Namur)
Church | XI-XII | Romanesque | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 January - 31 December
Mon 9.00 - 18.00
Tue 9.00 - 18.00
Wed 9.00 - 18.00
Thu 9.00 - 18.00
Fri 9.00 - 18.00
Sat 9.00 - 18.00
Sun 9.00 - 18.00
Church closed from 12 May for 2 months of works.
Religious offices
Description
The large 11th century tower originally served as a refuge for the Wierde family and nearby villagers. Access was through a high south side opening, now blocked. The tower was once topped by a wooden “hourd,” a covered platform from which defenders could repel attackers. Several loopholes remain visible today.
The first church, funded by the local lord and villagers, was wooden and likely limited to a single nave. As the population grew, expansion became necessary, but the lord refused to pay. The church was therefore transferred to the Abbey of Géronsart and rebuilt in stone with three naves, six bays, and a flat ended choir once flanked by two apsidioles.
A major fire in 1706 destroyed the roofs and ceilings. The tower was restored ten years later, crowned with an octagonal three level slate spire and fitted with three new bells. Its lower room became a school, which explains the large fireplace. A striking polychrome wooden Christ, surrounded by the symbols of the four evangelists, dates from this period. The interior was later redesigned in Baroque style.
In the late 1970s, architects Roger Bastin and M. Genot, with sculptor Jean Williame and glassmaker Louis Marie Londot, led major restoration work, returning the church to Romanesque arches and a deliberately austere décor. The aisles also contain elegant confessionals and four 17th and 18th century polychrome statues of Saints Donat, Roch, Fiacre, and Hubert.
Photos
Remarkable elements
Medival tower from the 11th century
Older than the church, the tower was first a defensive refuge for the noble family and nearby people. Isolated, it served only for protection and was likely topped with a removable wooden “hourd.” Some loopholes from that era remain. Its only entrance, on the south side near the cemetery, was a high door reached by ladder; once removed, access was impossible. This opening, still visible, was arched in the Middle Ages.
Organ
The magnificent 17th century baroque buffet is the oldest in Namur. According to some sources it comes from the nearby abbey of Géronsart (Jambes). The archives of this abbey mention the intervention, in 1763, of the Barnabé factor, then in 1780 of Ditgen. Given the rarity of 17th century Walloon organs, the path of restoration is essential.
Way o f the cross
Under the rood pole, sculptor Jean Willame created small polished granite blocks tracing a hesitant yet precise path from the Last Supper at the center to the Resurrection on the right, with an unusual total of 16 stations. The altar, the credence near the sacristy door, the front door lintel showing rural scenes, and the simple baptismal font are also his work.
Polychrome stained glass windows
The stained glass windows are the work of Louis-Marie Londot: a small one above the entrance door of the tower, 3 large ones in the choir and a small one above the baptismal font (in the absidiole of the left side nave). In fine weather, the lateral stained glass windows of the choir project a wonderful palette of colors on the opposite wall, like a kaleidoscope, in the morning through the right stained glass window, and at the end of the day through the left stained glass window.
Pavement
Admirable of life with its old slabs with patinas reflecting the weight of the years. Although black, it makes a particularly bright reflection.
Small baroque altar
In the right side nave, it is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary and polychromed by Louis Londot during the restoration of the church in 1975 by the architect Roger Bastin.
