Brussels has hundreds of churches, each with its own story! We’ve selected six that have that little something extra. They may not be the most famous (nationally), but each is an architectural gem or has a special feature that makes them worth a detour. Six stories to discover about six churches that stand out. Enjoy!
The Church of Saint Martin in Ganshoren: pure modernism
Small but remarkable, this modernist church from 1970 is located in Ganshoren, one of the Brussels-Capital Region’s smallest and most rural communes. Notable fact: architect Jean Gilson also contributed to the construction of the State’s Administrative Centre in Brussels and the Berlaymont building of the European Commission. The most striking feature is the gigantic ceramic relief on the facade by Polish artist Zygmunt Dobrzycki. But don’t hesitate to step inside to admire the superb sculpted concrete columns.
© visit.brussels
De Sint-Augustinuskerk, een hoogtepunt
De bekroning van het Hoogte Honderdplein in Vorst, een rotonde op honderd meter boven de zeespiegel... In deze kerk, opgericht tussen 1932 en 1935 in art-decostijl, zwaait beton de scepter. De constructie maakte deel uit van de stedelijke ontwikkeling die aan het begin van de 20e eeuw in de wijk plaatsvond. In de omgeving ontdek je een divers aanbod aan architectonische stijlen, met een aantal opmerkelijke huizen die zeker een bezoekje waard zijn. Het gebouw zelf valt op door zijn imposante centrale toren, waar de lagere verdiepingen omheen werden gebouwd, maar ook door zijn harmonieuze proporties en algemene esthetiek.
The Collegiate Church of Saints Peter and Guy with a mini-beguinage
Anderlecht has many churches, but this one stands out, if only because it gave its name to the neighbouring metro station and square. The relics of the patron saint, Saint Guy of Anderlecht, are in the church’s crypt, which is the only clearly Romanesque element remaining. The church was later rebuilt in a Gothic style and restored in a Neo-Gothic style with a new spire in the 19th century. Don’t miss the colourful stained glass windows in the choir, dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries and beautifully restored.
A little tip: right next to the church, you’ll find one of the smallest beguinages in Belgium (closed for renovation, reopening in 2025) or the famous Erasmus House with its beautiful garden, ideal for a moment of reflection!
© visit.brussels
© visit.brussels
The Church of Saint Suzanne: Art Deco splendour
Of all the Art Deco churches in Brussels, this one is undoubtedly the most colourful and the first to be built in reinforced concrete. From the moment you enter, you are immediately struck by the intense red and blue glow from the monumental rectangular stained glass windows. The origin of this church lies in a touching story: it was funded by Louise Thiéry, widow of General Maes. She lost her daughter Suzanne in 1914 and her husband in 1915. The church was erected in their daughter’s honour. Remarkably, the church has a real theatre in its basement and various spaces to support the neighbourhood's community life, a wish expressed by the widow Thiéry herself.
The Church of Our Lady of Finistere: a shopping break
This neoclassical Baroque-style church is located in the heart of one of Brussels' shopping destinations: rue Neuve. A perfect place for a calm, relaxing break and some architectural marvelling. The magnificent Baroque church dates from 1730 and has a black carved wooden pulpit from 1758 depicting the Fall of Man.
Tip: students come here during exams to invoke the help of the 16th-century statue of Our Lady of Good Hope, originally from Aberdeen, Scotland, found in one of the side chapels. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!
© visit.brussels
The Church of Saint John the Baptist, concrete beauty
A touch of the Sagrada Familia in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean… this concrete sanctuary has graced this neighbourhood for nearly 100 years, just a stone’s throw from the centre and Molenbeek’s town hall. The architect is a well-known figure in Brussels: Joseph Diongre, who also designed the former National Radio Institute (‘Flagey’), the Woluwe-Saint-Lambert town hall, and Molenbeek’s garden cities. He chose Art Deco, creating a sober and elegant building. Step inside to see the immense parabolic arches that support the structure or the stained glass windows that let the sunlight in with brilliance!