Saint John and Nicholas
Rue de Charleroi
1400 Nivelles
Church | XVI | Gothic | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 January - 31 December
Mon 9.00 - 16.00
Tue 9.00 - 16.00
Wed 9.00 - 16.00
Thu 9.00 - 16.00
Fri 9.00 - 16.00
Sat 9.00 - 16.00
Sun 9.00 - 16.00
Description
The church, nowadays a parish church, was originally the chapel of a convent of the Franciscan order known as the "Friars Minor Recollets", an order that wanted to lead an austere and secluded life. After the departure of the monks in the 19th century, the convent was used as a hospital and then as a school and court, but the church was restored and was given back to worship in 1964.
On the outside, one notices the high slender windows and the alternation of blue and white stone. Inside, the single nave is luminous thanks to the large windows and the clear plastering of the walls. The colourful stained glass windows in the choir and the glass roof of the facade, by André Blank, are welcome. At the entrance to the north chapel, a white stone Virgin and Child by John Willame and on the rood screen pillars, two ceramics by Max Van der Linden depicting the two patron saints of the parish, St. John the Evangelist and St. Nicholas.
Also to be seen, the shrine of Saint Marie de Nivelles, known as d'Oignies, and, on the façade, a bronze Saint Francis by Christian Leroy.
KIKIRPA : Photo-library online
More info (FR)
Photos
Remarkable elements
Shrine of the Holy Marie of Oignies
The shrine of Holy Marie of Oignies, crafted in 1608 by Namur silversmith Henri Libert, is a gilded copper and silver box with embossed panels depicting scenes from her life. Once adorned with 13 statues, only three survived WWII. Donated in 1817 to Saint Nicholas church in Nivelles, it was restored in 1963 for the 750th anniversary of the Saint’s death and placed in the Saint John and Saint Nicholas church.
Ceramics by Max Van der Linden
The walls supporting the rood screen carry two ceramic reliefs by the artist Max Van der Linden representing the two saints of the parish.
Way of the Cross
Since 2009, a Way of the Cross has been installed on the north side of the church. The four stations in terracotta are the work of Christian Leroy whose life span didn’t allow him to complete what he had started. The others were made by the artist Bernard Haurez in bronze.
The stained glass windows
The stained glass windows in the apse and the entrance wall are decorated with stained glass windows by the artist André Blank, as well as those in the chapter house of the monastery.
Virgin and Child
A Virgin and Child in white stone by Jean Williame is in the corner of the side chapel.
Outside: statue of Saint Francis
Outside, against the mainstay to the right of the entrance, a bronze Saint Francis welcomes the visitor with his palms lifted to heaven, and reminds the visitor of the monastery’s distant origins.
