Saint Stephen
Dorpsstraat
3730 Hoeselt
Church | XI-XVIII | Classical | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 January - 31 December
Mon 10.00 - 17.00
Tue 10.00 - 17.00
Wed 10.00 - 17.00
Thu 10.00 - 17.00
Fri 10.00 - 17.00
Sat 10.00 - 17.00
Sun 10.00 - 17.00
Religious offices
Description
The history of this church is well documented. After the restoration in 2008 an illustrated, well written volume was published that mentions all the old and new parts of this church. This publication is still available in the church.
The foundation of the church tower is pre-Roman and dates back to the 11th century. In this part of the church old brickwork and fifteen different kinds of stone were found. A part of them appear to have been recovered from Roman villas from the area. On this foundation a Roman-Gothic style combination in local marlstone was constructed in 1250.
The original church was replaced in 1766 by a new construction: a Classicist church with one nave constructed in brick. Some years later a baroque spire in Austrian style was added. In 1896, because of the growing population, the church was extended in length with one third and in 1932 once more with two aisles.
On the inside, the high altar (1689) does not go unnoticed. It originally comes from the St Paul’s Cathedral in Liege and the two white marble medallions depicting the Apostles Peter and Paul were made by the famous sculptor Jean Delcour. The 18th century stalls originally come from the St. John Evangelist church in Liege.
The painting of the Deposition in the jube comes from the workshop of Rubens. The Stoning of St Stephen on the left side was made by Jean Detrixhe.
The German master carpenter Carl Weyskopf made the two side altars, the two confessionals and the communion, which is now incorporated into the altar and the lectern. The oak reliquary dates back to the 17th century. The early Gothic baptismal font (c. 1250) has four distinctive characteristic heads. The fish on the lid is one of the oldest Christian symbols.
The crowned eagle on the tabernacle refers to the biggest benefactors of the church, the aristocratic family de Brouckmans. Their estate (now a school) is next to the church.
Source: Geschiedkundige Kring Hoeselt - Samenvatting over St-Stefanuskerk. (www.sint-stefanus.be)
KIKIRPA : Photo-library online
See the treasures of this church online on erfgoedplus.be
Photos
Media
Remarkable elements
High altar
The altar was built in 1689 for the St Paul's Church in Liège and in 1876 transferred to Hoeselt. There are two white marble medallions on the left and right of the tabernacle, made by Jean Delcour (1631-1707). The altar painting, the martyrdom of St. Stephen, was painted in 1877 by Louis Hendrix.
Stained-glass windows
Four decorative stained-glass windows, made in 1896 by the Brussels glazier Bertrand Bardenhewer. The two windows on the south side depict scenes from the life of Lambert. The legend of Hubert is illustrated on the two windows on the north side.
Treasure room
During restoration works in 2008, a burglarproof room was arranged inside the church. Two wooden statues (Saint Stephen and Angel with Trumpet) and various beautiful liturgical objects are preserved and displayed in this room.
Paintings
On the left in the jube hangs a painting that depicts the Stoning of St Stephen, made by the painter Jean Detrixhe Liège in 1713. On the right hangs a painting that represents the Deposition. This painting was created in the studio of Rubens (17th century).
Baptismal font
Early Gothic baptismal font with Romanesque view around 1250. Four heads are portrayed on the corners of the heavy bluestone tub: a man's head, a woman's head, the head of an old man and a devil's head. Traditional, Romanesque fonts quite often have identical stylistic heads on the four corners, symbolizing the four live streams of the Earthly Paradise, which in turn symbolize the four evangelists: Geon – Matthew, Tigris – Marcus, Euphrates – Lucas, Physon – Joannes. The fish pictured on the cover is one of the oldest Christian symbols.
Organ
The organ was built in 1768 by Henri Möseler from Liège. Since then it has undergone many changes. In 1870 the firm Pereboom & Leyser from Maastricht completely rebuilt the organ. A new digital organ was installed in March 2011, with the console in the front of the church.
Nearby
Circuit
Hermits, lords and saints
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In the footsteps of the priest
Rulers and saints, religious heritage around Alden Biesen (car tour 1) - Less sporty? Or is it raining cats and dogs? We have connected the most interesting sights with a route adapted to the car (in Dutch).
