Saint John the Baptist and Our Lady of the Assumption
Abdijstraat 1
3271 Averbode (Scherpenheuvel-Zichem)
Abbey church | 1664-1672 | Baroque | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 January - 31 December
Mon 7.00 - 12.30 • 13.30 - 19.00
Tue 7.00 - 12.30 • 13.30 - 19.00
Wed 7.00 - 12.30 • 13.30 - 19.00
Thu 7.00 - 12.30 • 13.30 - 19.00
Fri 7.00 - 12.30 • 13.30 - 19.00
Sat 7.00 - 12.30 • 13.30 - 19.00
Sun 7.00 - 12.30 • 13.30 - 19.00
Religious offices
Description
The abbey of Averbode was founded in 1134 by the count of Loon.
The baroque church of Our Lady built by Jean van den Eynde (1664-1672) dominates its surroundings. It replaces an old Romanesque- Gothic style church and was consecrated to Saint John the Baptist and to Our Lady of the Assumption. In the gracious lines of the facade are the statues of Saint Norbert (on the right) and the abbey’s patron, Saint John (on the left).
As a reaction against the Reformation and Lutheran Protestantism, this new baroque church had to impress its believers with the profusion and refinement of its decoration and demonstrate where the true faith lay. Witnessing this are the 18th century pulpit, the confessionals (from 1780), the altars at the entrance to the choir (vestiges of a rood screen). But even more impressive is the choir which is longer than the nave with its 72 stalls (from 1672), with many interesting details, where the monks went for prayer and song.
Also noteworthy is the main altar decorated with an Assumption. The painting by Gaspar de Crayer, "foundation of the Prèmontré order", was moved from the altar to the chapter house. In 2001 a new altar of 10 tons of marble from Verona was set up in the centre of the church.
Take time to visit the cemetery where the writer Ernest Claes is buried (died in 1968), to wander in the park where the abbey is restoring the calvary and to walk in the neighbouring woods and hills .It is a moment of calm and peace.
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Remarkable elements
High altar
At the back of the choir stands the 1753 multicoloured marble high altar. Between its columns is the Assumption of Mary: three apostles at her empty grave, Mary rising on a cloud with angels, and the Holy Trinity above. King Solomon and John the Baptist watch from the sides. Nearby hang Verhaghen’s paintings of the Last Supper and Melchisedek meeting Abraham. Two gilded doors lead to the abbots’ crypt.
Saint Norbert's altar
The left transept holds the altar of St. Norbert, founder of the Premonstratensians, crowned with his statue under a canopy with two angels. Below, Norbert receives the white habit from Mary. The group is flanked by two Middelburg martyrs, Adrian Jansen and James Lacops, killed in 1572. The rope and palm symbolize their martyrdom, while the papal tiara and chalice show their loyalty to the Catholic faith.
John the Baptist's altar
In the right transept is the altar of the patron saint of the church: John the Baptist. John himself is displayed right at the top under a palm tree. The angels with sword and golden dish of course refer to his decapitation. Beneath this, we see how Elisabeth (his mother) meets Mary. At their side are Joseph and Zacharias, John's father. The frontal depicts John's birth.
Choir stalls
At either side of the choir there are impressive baroque choir stalls. They were delivered in 1673 by Octaaf Herry's workshop in Antwerp. In the niches there are saints and blesseds of the Norbertine Order. The angels carry objects which refer to Christ's suffering and death. The arms of the 72 seats are each adorned with unique angel's heads. We also see many animals, plants and mythological figures that are not only figurative but also symbolic.
Confessionals
In the transepts there are two classicistic confessionals which were made in 1779 by Cornelis De Smedt from Antwerp. The sides are adorned with instruments of the Passion and penance. On top of the confessionals are Mary Magdalene (left) and the Holy Mary of Egypt (right).
Organ
The monumental 19th century organ above the portal has a richly decorated case with statues of Peter, David, musical angels, angel heads and instruments. A painting of Saint Cecilia crowns it. With 64 stops, four manuals and over 3500 pipes, it is a fine romantic organ. Awaiting restoration, it is silent. The transept organ was installed in 2001.
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