Our Lady of Leliendaal Church (
Flemish: ''Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Leliëndaal'') is a
Roman Catholic church in
Mechelen
Mechelen (; french: Malines ; traditional English name: MechlinMechelen has been known in English as ''Mechlin'', from where the adjective ''Mechlinian'' is derived. This name may still be used, especially in a traditional or historical contex ...
, served by the
Society of Jesus. It was designed by
Lucas Faydherbe and is protected structure; described by the city council of Mechelen as one of its 8 historic churches.
History
Foundation
The original site of the church was originally owned by the
Norbertine St. Michael's Abbey in Antwerp.
The architect was
Lucas Faydherbe, he came from Mechelen, was the nephew of
Lucas Franchoys the Younger and studied with
Peter Paul Rubens in
Antwerp
Antwerp (; nl, Antwerpen ; french: Anvers ; es, Amberes) is the largest city in Belgium by area at and the capital of Antwerp Province in the Flemish Region. With a population of 520,504, .
In 1662, the foundation stone was laid. Construction was delayed on multiple occasions, because the façade tilted dangerously forward. Therefore, in 1664, the façade was demolished and rebuilt. In 1670, the first Mass was said and in 1674 it was solemnly inaugurated.
[
]
Napoleonic wars
In the early 19th century, during the Napoleonic wars, the church was seriously neglected and half of it was turned into a hospice for the poor of the city. The furnishings were sold and holes were made in the gables for people to be able to see out and over the church to help defend it against attack. A wall was placed in the church between the second and third windows for the establishment of an infirmary.[
]
Re-opening
In 1834, it re-opened under the administration of the Jesuits. Through the cooperation of the nearby Minor Seminary and the Civil Hospices, it was restored and equipped with new furniture and the internal walls were removed. In 1900-1901, the Jesuits changed the floor plan and moved the choir to the gallery in the west of the church. Later in the 20th-century, a sacristy was constructed in the south west part of the church. Also, a grotto to Our Lady of Lourdes was built and new furniture was purchased.[
]
Gallery
File:Mechelen Our Lady of Leliëndaal.JPG, Front entrance
File:Mechelen Our Lady of Leliëndaal 02.JPG, Back of the church
File:Mechelen OLV Leliëndaal nave 02.JPG, Nave
File:Mechelen OLV Leliëndaal nave.JPG, Organ
File:Mechelen OLV Leliëndaal Lourdes grotto.JPG, Side grotto
See also
* List of Jesuit sites in Belgium
* List of Catholic churches in Belgium
* Archdiocese of Mechelen-Brussels
References
External links
Churches of Mechelen website
{{Catholic Church in Belgium
Roman Catholic churches in Belgium
Churches in Mechelen
Jesuit churches in Belgium