Open Churches Days at
Saint Maria of Oignies
Rue des Ecoles
6250 Aiseau-Presles
| | | Catholic Church
Behind the doors of Sainte-Marie Church in Oignies and the CIPO
Free visit
7 June 2026 : 10.00 - 18.00A discreet neighbour to the former Priory of Saint Nicolas d’Oignies, where Hugo d’Oignies’ famous Treasure was created, the Church of Sainte Marie d’Oignies has no reason to feel overshadowed by its imposing neighbour. Step inside this fully renovated parish church to travel back to the time of the Beguines and their iconic figure, Marie d’Oignies, thanks to the permanent exhibition at the Centre d’Interprétation du Proto-Béguinisme d’Oignies (CIPO).
Price
FreeContact
Comité du Centre d’Interprétation du Proto-Béguinisme d’Oignies (CIPO)+32 493 81 70 39
cipo.oignies@gmail.com
Organizers:
Centre d’Interprétation du Proto-Béguinisme d’Oignies (CIPO) et Fabrique d'église d'OigniesOther events at Saint Maria of Oignies
Follow the guide !
7 June 2026 : 10.30 - 16.30A discreet neighbour to the former Priory of Saint-Nicolas in Oignies, where Hugo d’Oignies’ famous treasure was created, the Church of Sainte-Marie in Oignies has no reason to feel overshadowed by its imposing neighbour. Step inside this fully renovated parish church to travel back to the time of the Beguines and their iconic figure, Marie d’Oignies, thanks to the permanent exhibition at the Centre d’Interprétation du Proto-Béguinisme d’Oignies (CIPO). During the Open Churches Days, you’ll be guided through the church and its Interpretation Centre (the CIPO) with a touch of humour. At the end of the tour (duration 30 mins), test your knowledge of the church and the Beguines and win a souvenir! Guided tour times: 10.30am–11am, 2pm–2.30pm, 4pm–4.30pm
More about this church
Description
The church of Saint Marie d'Oignies was inaugurated in 1909 and is dedicated to Blessed Marie d'Oignies, a 13th century beguine and mystic.
The church is built in the Romanesque style on a Latin cross plan. The choir faces east and the rising sun. The right transept houses the altar dedicated to Saint Mary of Oignies. A reliquary containing a rib of the saint, made in 1926 by the École des métiers d'art de Maredsous, is kept here. Marie d'Oignies is still remembered today for the happy birth of children. At the foot of the altar is the tomb of Jacques de Vitry, which has stood since 1970. The left transept houses an altar dedicated to the Virgin.
The confessionals in the transepts are part of the furnishings of the former church of the priory of Saint Nicholas, demolished in 1838.
The church will soon house the Centre d'Interprétation du Proto-béguinisme à Oignies (CIPO). This will highlight the heritage of this church, as well as that of the Treasure of Oignies, deposited in the Trema, a museum located in Namur.
The CIPO is an association of several partners who, since 2016, have been developing the project to highlight the lives of three important figures of the beguinal movement: Saint Mary of Oignies, Jacques de Vitry and Hugo of Oignies.
This museum space will put into perspective the role of the proto-béguinage born in the 12th century in the former diocese of Liège in favour of the development of this movement, also in connection with the Flemish beguinages.
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