Sint-Gorgonius
Houtmarkt 1
3320 Hoegaarden
Church | 1754-1759 | Rococo | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 January - 31 December
Mon 9.00 - 17.00
Tue 9.00 - 17.00
Wed 9.00 - 17.00
Thu 9.00 - 17.00
Fri 9.00 - 17.00
Sat 9.00 - 17.00
Sun 9.00 - 17.00
Guided tour
Religious offices
Description
The tower in white Gobertange stone dominates from afar the view of this village celebrated for its beer. The church is recognised as the largest Rococo one in the country.
It was built in 1754-59 thanks to contributions from the brewers after the old roman church fell into ruins An inscription on the tower, which was restored in 2006, states that Alpaidis, countess of Hoegaarden, founded a chapter here. At the side of the church is the chapter house and its park which are both open to visitors. The church and its splendid old buildings are witness to the wealth of this enclave of Liege in the duchy of Brabant.
Beneath the church tower is the treasure which consists of roman baptismal fonts, gothic sculptures and the Palm Sunday ass which is taken in procession annually on that day. The pulpit, the confessionals and the choir stalls are also worth seeing. Be careful where you walk: the noble masters of this work lie beneath you in the crypt.
Photos
Media
Remarkable elements
Main altar
The main altar was painted by Balthazar Beschey (1708-1776) and represents Christ on the cross. There are Jesuit saints at the bottom of the cross. The calvary by Henri Redig was installed in 1882. He was the city architect of Lier and the brother of former priest Aloysius Redig.
Stained glass windows
The stained glass windows regularly needed to be replaced after damage by storms or war. Priest Redig had a new set of stained glass windows installed in 1882. Most of the times these windows were payed for with donations from parishioners whose names can be found on the windows. This set of stained glass windows represents Saint Gorgonius and the twelve Apostles.
Confessional
The woodwork was mostly made by carpenter Jean Philippe Stockmans and the sculpturing on the confessional, the pulpit and the organ case was done by sculptor Dupaix. The pew in the chancel originally comes from the abbey of Opheylissem (Hélécine).
Relics
The reliquary contains relics of Saint Gorgonius and Saint Odwinus. This church is the only church in Belgium that has Saint Gorgonius as its patron saint. He died a martyr death around 304. Saint Odwinus was a priest in Hoegaarden in the second half of the tenth century
Crypt
The large stone before the altar gives access to the crypt that consists of a corridor along the entire length of the church. The graves of notable citizens of Hoegaarden can be found in two rows containing twenty alcoves. It was recorded in 1804 that several graves were damaged.
