Church of the Carmelites
Avenue de la Toison d'Or 45
1050 Ixelles
Convent | 1860 | Neogothic | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 January - 31 December
Mon 7.30 - 20.00
Tue 7.30 - 20.00
Wed 7.30 - 20.00
Thu -
Fri 7.30 - 20.00
Sat 7.30 - 20.00
Sun 9.00 - 20.00
Religious offices
Sunday : 10.30
Description
Behind the church and surrounded by the commercial complex, the current monastery was built, smaller than the previous building. The church, which was designed in 1860 by architect Menge in Neo-Gothic Lombard style, was built between 1861 and 1875. The interior was completed by architect P. Cuypers.
On the facade of the church, which was restored in 2010, one can see statues of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Saint Joseph and Saint Teresa of Ávila (the latter two are patron saints of this church with two chapels dedicated to them at the end of the side aisles of the church).
Inside, the 19th century stained glass windows are representative of Saint Teresa of Ávila, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Saint John of the Cross and four angels (each holding a scroll: the four scriptures refer to Saint Joseph). In the half-light of the building, the stained glass side windows come into their own, made of broken glass and concrete, in 1959 by the Benedictine monks of Fleury in Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire (France), after drawings by brother Eloi Devaux of the abbey of Pierre-qui-Vire (France). From 1956 to 1962, the interior of the church was radically renovated and the facade was restored.
The crucifix that hangs in the presbytery, presumably from the 16th century, Italian or Spanish made, is situated by the altar where the eucharistic sacrifice of Christ is celebrated. Ths crucifix reminds us that the Son of God is both the victim of the sacrifice as well as the resurrected one who ascends to heaven and opens the way that leads man to God.
Nowadays, Our Lady of Mount Carmel stands on the vault of the apse, as a replacement of the most precious 14th century polychrome wooden statue of the Mother of God with Child Jesus, that is known as the Seat of Wisdom, the statue is kept in the monastery.
The ceramic Stations of the Cross were made in 2011 by the Discalced Carmelite Brother Serafino Melchiorre (Rome). The rood screen has an organ that was built in 1869 by the Ixelles organ builder Merklin-Schütze. The organ was restored in 1934 and in 1962 and was expanded by E.A. Roethinger (Strasbourg) and was finally renovated again in 2000 and expanded by Patrick Colon (Laeken).
Photos
Remarkable elements
The facade
The facade of the 19th century church, in Italian Neo-Gothic style, has the charm of a slightly curved shape. It is arranged in a “triptych”, and contains a double staircase with balusters that lead to a raised portico. The entryway carries the polychrome coat of arms of the Carmel and the Order’s motto: “With zeal have I been zealous for the Lord…”
On the ocher facade, decorated with pinnacles and the three statues, one can see Our Lady of Mount Carmel at the top, as if she is watching over the city. And further down, on the “shutters” opposite us, one can see Saint Teresa of Ávila and Saint Joseph, to whom this church is dedicated.
The baptismal chapel
In Neo-Gothic style, from the church of Saint Barbara in Brussels. Placed at the beginning of the center aisle that leads to the altar, reminds us of the baptism serving as an entryway to the life of the Church. The square base symbolizes universality. The octagonal shape of the basin reminds us of the “7 days of the Creation + 1”, signs of a new life, received though the rite of baptism. The edge of the basin is decorated with an inscription in Gothic letters, derived from the Gospel (in Latin): “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved…” (Mark 16).
The choir
During the day, one’s gaze spontaneously goes to the stained glass windows in the central part (19th century). To the Virgin and the Child, the Virgin of Carmel, who hands over the scapular to Saint Simon Stock, as a token of her motherly protection of the Order. She is surrounded by Teresa of Ávila and John of the Cross, emblematic figures of the Karmel reform.
In the evening, when the stained glass windows have gone dark and the spotlights are switched on, the eye is fascinated by the gorgeous crucifix that hangs from the vault (17th century): “When I shall be lifted from the earth, I shall draw all things unto me.” The long Eucharist table is one of the first witnesses of the liturgical reform after the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965).
The side altars
Dedicated to Saint Joseph and Saint Teresa of Ávila, their statues from the 19th century hold some surprises. Saint Joseph is crowned. Crowning a statue means the encouragement of local worship: it is “God crowning His own gifts”. This rite is performed by a papal representative.
Teresa of Ávila wore a “Doctor of the Church” hat long before the recognition of this title by Pope Paul VI in 1970. She is depicted with a book and a flaming arrow as a quill, to indicate that it was the divine fire that pierced her that she wants to convey.
The stained glass windows from the 20th century
They were created in 1959 in the abbey of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire (France), after drawings by a monk from La-Pierre-qui-Vire (France). The process, which is completely new, was formed during the wars, a period in which much had to be rebuilt, while the adventure of the Creation was continued.
The technique consists of the shredding of colored glass sheets in the mass to bend the light, the shards are then assembled into a mosaic and welded together with a network of reinforced concrete. The transient light offers itself to us. It moves us. It is the subject of these stained glass windows. It invites us to move from luminous matter to immortal light.
The organ
The current organ has been expanded several times since its creation in 1869. It was renovated in 1934, 1962, and 2000. In 1962, the organ builder merged the so-called “romantic” organ with the so-called “classical” organ, which came back into fashion. The monumental ensemble rests on a Neo-Gothic rood screen. On the frieze that decorates the balcony, one can find verses of Psalm 150: “Laudate Dominum…” Praise God in his sanctuary. Praise him with all instruments… What talented organ players have been doing for over 130 years!
