Saint-Joseph
Bogaardenstraat 72
3000 Leuven
Church | | Contemporary | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 January - 31 December
Mon 9.00 - 19.00
Tue 9.00 - 19.00
Wed 9.00 - 19.00
Thu 9.00 - 19.00
Fri 9.00 - 19.00
Sat 9.00 - 19.00
Sun 9.00 - 19.00
Religious offices
Description
In the chapel, a miraculous and crowned Virgin Mary statue named ‘Our-Lady-of-Fevers’ is being worshiped, a statue dating from the end of the 15th century (origin: place of pilgrimage in the Leuven Vleminckx chapel). In the church stands, among other things, a protected Cavaillé-Coll organ (from after 1800).
Chapel and church (1974) (entrance in the Bogaardenstreet in Leuven) are the work of the renowned architect Victor Broos (1908-1980). In both chapel and church, many works of art are being preserved and are on display: i.a. a series of processional banners and statues from our former Neo-Gothic parish church (1870-1970).
KIKIRPA : Photo-library online
Photos
Remarkable elements
The church building - Architect designer Victor Broos (1908-1980)
The official real estate inventory lists several key post WWII buildings, including the Leuven warehouse, the Dominic Savio Church in Dilbeek, and the Saint Joseph Church in Leuven. Described in its 1973 permit as a modern liturgical center with a cafeteria and Sunday School room, Saint Joseph’s stands out for architect Broos’s distinctive style and its striking lack of windows on the front façade.
Cavaillé-Coll organ
Originally from the Neo-Gothic Saint-Joseph’s Church (1860–1971), the organ was described in 1969 by Paul Eraly as a perfectly preserved Cavallié-Coll from around 1871, reflecting the excellence of its maker. Listed as a protected monument on 10 12 1981 for its musical, historical, aesthetic, and craftsmanship value, it continues to be played at every liturgical celebration.
Our-Lady-of-Fevers
This 15th–16th century polychrome wooden Pietà came from the Vleminckx chapel in Leuven, long known as a sanctuary. Crowned by Cardinal Mercier in 1907, it was loaned to the Saint Joseph council in 1988 after the Friars Minor left. Growing devotion during the Covid period led to its move on 21/11/2021 to the nearby Lady Chapel, placed in a secure display case made by Bailleul.
Processional banners, statues, and furniture (19th-20th century)
These banners, each one being of important historical value, were restored and preserved by Kenny Damiaan between 2010-2014. The most important statues from the old church - Saint-Joseph holding hands with the young boy Jesus, Mary holding the child Jesus in her arms, the Sacred Heart statue, and the statue of Christ that stood on the main altar, received a fixed place in the church as well as the chapel.
Monstrance
On special occasions, the Tree monstrance (1810), the Tower monstrance (1629) and other liturgical objects and robes are put on display.
Garden
The adjacent park garden includes an entrance to a private parking accessible from Burgemeesterstraat, with direct passage to the church. Once owned by a Leuven wine merchant and later a Servite monastery, it features remarkable ancient exotic trees such as ailanthus, Japanese sophora, giant beeches, a weeping beech, and a colorful maple. An ideal spot to enjoy the nearby university library carillon.
