Our Lady of the Assumption
Basiliekstraat z/n
3800 Kortenbos (Sint-Truiden)
Basilica | 1641-1648 | Renaissance | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 March - 31 October
Mon 8.00 - 19.00
Tue 8.00 - 19.00
Wed 8.00 - 19.00
Thu 8.00 - 19.00
Fri 8.00 - 19.00
Sat 8.00 - 19.00
Sun 8.00 - 19.00
01 November - 28 February
Mon 8.00 - 16.30
Tue 8.00 - 16.30
Wed 8.00 - 16.30
Thu 8.00 - 16.30
Fri 8.00 - 16.30
Sat 8.00 - 16.30
Sun 8.00 - 16.30
Guided tour
+32 11 31 60 06 or +32 474 77 76 04
Religious offices
Monday till Friday : 8 am
Saturday : 7.30 am
Sunday : 9.30 am
More masses in May, depending on the number of pilgrims.
Description
The church traces its origins to a statue of Mary. In the 17th century, travellers in the area were often attacked by brigands, and in 1636 Elisabeth van Oeteren placed a statue of Our Lady in an oak tree to protect them. A chapel followed in 1639, named “Our Lady Nightingale at Kortenbos,” and the site soon became a centre of Marian devotion.
As pilgrim numbers grew, a new Baroque church was planned in 1641 by the Franciscan Nicholas Ray. Consecrated in 1648, it was gradually enlarged with a portal, transept and an east tower crowned with a lantern and corner turrets. The works were completed in 1725, with two side portals added two centuries later.
The exterior consists of simple brick with touches of marlstone. The single aisled cruciform plan includes a four bay nave, two bay transept, straight ended chancel, tower and sacristy. Tall round arched windows on the north and south sides enhance its verticality.
Inside, the whitewashed and plastered church features Baroque oak wainscoting with two confessionals by Antoon Bayens of Mechelen. Much of the interior remains original and recalls the abbey church of Averbode. Flat transverse arches divide the nave, supporting cross ribbed vaults on pilasters without capitals.
The main and side altars, in marbled wood by Antwerp sculptor Pieter Scheermaeckers, accompany a 1662 painting by Gaspar de Crayer showing St. Norbert before Our Lady. Other artworks depict Marian themes, the Holy Helpers, eighteen Flemish votive paintings and twelve depictions of Premonstratensian Saints by Abraham van Diepenbeek.
The terracotta statue of Our Lady of Kortenbos still stands prominently at the front of the church.
KIKIRPA : Photo-library online
See the treasure of this church online on erfgoedplus.be
Photos
Media
Remarkable elements
High altar
The back wall of the choir is completely filled by the mighty high altar of marbled wood. With its exceptional high elevation, the Antwerp artist Pieter Scheenmaekers has managed to accentuate the depth of the room. The fronton is supported by six round white columns with gold capitals.
Altar painting
This particularly valuable altar painting by Caspar de Crayer (1584-1669), one of the best painting mates of Peter Paul Rubens, was manufactured in 1662. It is one of the later works of this painter in which he has illustrated his personal relation to “Our Lady of Kortenbos”. Mary is seated on a throne, she holds baby Jesus, who is standing on her right knee.
Organ
On the left platform stands an organ. This instrument was built by organ manufacturer Clerinx from Sint-Truiden in 1867. It has 8 stopknobs, and two manuals/pedals.
Side altars
The side altar in the right transept is dedicated to St. Roch. He stands on top of the altar, above a painting which shows a healing by him. The side altar in the left transept is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and to Mary Mother of God.
Wooden wainscotting
The beautiful decoration of the nave with oak paneling is applied over the full length of the interior walls below the parapet of the windows. These artistically exquisite specimens of woodcarvings were created in 1650 by the artist Antoon Baeyens from Mechelen. Eight confessionals are incorporated in the wooden decorations.
Statue of grace
Until the restoration, this statue of grace was displayed in expositorium above the tabernacle. Nowadays it is stands on its former brass grace altar again, on the left side of the choir. The statue of grace is made out of clay and has a height of 18.5 centimetres. It represents the Mother of God with baby Jesus in her arms. The statue of grace was miraculously found in a centuries-old oak tree in 1609.
