Open Churches Days at
Sainte-Marie d'Oignies
Rue des Ecoles
6250 Aiseau-Presles
| | | Catholic Church
Behind the doors of Sainte-Marie d'Oignies church and the Proto-Béguin Interpretation Centre
Free visit
31 May 2025 : 10.00 - 17.0001 June 2025 : 10.00 - 17.00
A discreet neighbour of the former Prieuré Saint Nicolas d'Oignies, where the famous Trésor d'Hugo d'Oignies was created, the church of Sainte Marie d'Oignies has no reason to be ashamed of its imposing neighbour. Push open the door of this completely renovated parish church and step back in time to the beguines and their emblematic figure, Marie d'Oignies, thanks to the permanent exhibition of the Centre d'Interprétation du Proto-Béguinisme d'Oignies, the CIPO.
During the Open Church Days, you'll be able to access areas that are usually closed to the public. Guided by members of the CIPO, you'll be able to take in the impressive restoration of the building, which will be completed in 2023.
Price
FreeContact
Centre d’Interprétation du Proto-Béguinisme d’Oignies (CIPO)+32 493 81 70 39
cipo.oignies@gmail.com
Organizers:
Une collaboration du Centre d’Interprétation du Proto-Béguinisme d’Oignies (CIPO) et de la Fabrique d'église d'OigniesMore about this church
Description
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.
The CIPO and its 6 facets (FR)
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