Saint Aibert
Rue Wibault-Bouchart 24
7620 Bléharies (Brunehaut)
Church | 1926 | Modern | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 January - 31 December
Mon 9.00 - 17.00
Tue 9.00 - 17.00
Wed 9.00 - 17.00
Thu 9.00 - 17.00
Fri 9.00 - 17.00
Sat 9.00 - 17.00
Sun 9.00 - 17.00
Guided tour
Religious offices
Saturday 6 pm (Every other Saturday)
See the updated timetable on the website of our partner Egliseinfo
Or on the parish website
Description
After the fire in 1918 in the old 18th century building the architect, Henry Lacoste, built this new church influenced by Art Deco, which one rarely sees in religious buildings. The triangular façade and the high octagonal clock tower detached from the building reminds one of a minaret.
Inside, a large nave, a bare choir, brightness and astonishing stained glass windows which mirror the modern style. Large ferro-concrete arches without pillars. It is said that the curé at the time did not want pillars so that his farmer parishioners could not hide to talk of cows, sheep or pigeons.
Photos
Media
Remarkable elements
Choir stained glass window
Covering almost the entire choir chevet, this stained glass resembles walls of light. Six vertical, stepped rectangles show identical, symmetrically placed angels in a hieratic pose. Each holds a host and surrounds the altar at consecration. Their wings, one up, one down, highlight their role as mediators between heaven and earth, between God and humans. Paul Leclercq’s workshop, Ixelles.
The tomb of Saint Aybertus
Tank of the authentic sarcophagus of Saint Aybert (1060–1140), born in Espain, a primitive village in Bléharies. A hermit linked to the Benedictine abbey of Crespin (F), he was buried near his hermitage; the tomb was forgotten and used as a cow trough in the late 19th century. Rediscovered by priest E. Druez, it was restored in 1932 behind the main altar following Lacoste’s plans. The recumbent is by F. Debonnaires (1932).
Pulpit
Original work of art based on a sphere and whose octagonal bowl originates from an inverted pyramid. The canopy is decorated on the inside with a mosaic representing the Lamb of God, which replaces the traditional dove. The Lamb also underlines Lacoste's will to make the whole church the home of the Good Shepherd.
Statue of Saint Aybert (right altar)
Work by Fernand Debonnaires (1907-1997). The sculptor perfectly rendered the simple monastic figure of Aybert in stone, through his simple style. Saint Aybert became the patron saint of the parish, as soon as the church was inaugurated, thus supplanting Saint Amand (see statue at the back of the church).
Suspended lights
They are numerous and all identical. They hang down with a wire from the arches, all to the same height, and attach themselves to a metal ball, pierced by small crosses. All these verticals create a harmonious contrast with the arches and represent a repetitive rhythm, in which the oriental influence clearly seeps through.
Reinforced concrete - plastering - colours
By using reinforced concrete in a religious building, Lacoste pioneered in Belgium. Large arches with triplet bays open the space and let in abundant light. Concrete forms the basis of the interior, clad with “lap” or decorated granitos in mosaic on all fixed furniture. Colors are reduced to elementary, complementary tones, creating uniformity and a serene atmosphere conducive to prayer.
