Aalst star adoption campaign raises funds for St. Martin’s Church

Aalst (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – In Aalst, art lovers can adopt a historic star from St. Martin’s Church to support the restoration of the late 16th–early 17th century triptych “The Preaching of John the Baptist.”

As VRT News reported, Aalst has launched a new campaign to support the restoration of the historic ceiling painting in St. Martin’s Church. The project allows the public to adopt one of the historic stars that hang from the church ceiling. There are usually 60 stars. The stars have now been temporarily removed for restoration. Each star can be adopted for €1,000.

What campaign supports the restoration of St. Martin’s church in Aalst?

Supporters will receive a certificate of adoption and can sign their star in St. Martin’s Church at a special event next March. After the restoration is finished, all the stars will be carefully reinstalled on the ceiling, returning the artwork to its original grandeur. The campaign has already seen strong support, with more than 30 of the 60 stars adopted so far. 

“As the proud owner of a star, I can only recommend this initiative,”

says Alderman Sarah Smeyers (N-VA).

“It’s the opportunity to immortalise your loved ones in the region’s most beautiful heritage, while helping to ensure that the work of our Flemish masters will endure. Love and heritage – forever connected.”

The restoration is expected to cost €400,000. The artwork has several serious problems. The wooden panels have cracks. Some areas show paint damage or overpainting. A darkened varnish layer has dulled the original colours. Conservators will carefully stabilise the panels, remove the varnish, and restore the paint. 

Officials mentioned that art lovers in Aalst have a chance to help preserve a historic work of art. The ceiling painting in St. Martin’s Church won the 2023 Heritage Challenge, a contest for important heritage projects in Belgium. The public could vote on 4 nominated sites, and the Aalst painting received 12,753 votes. The award allows the painting to qualify for a full restoration. 

The St. Martin’s Church in Aalst was built starting around 1480 and was completed in stages over the next century and a half. The church is known for its rich collection of art, including altarpieces and a rare tabernacle-tower by sculptor Hiëronymus Duquesnoy the Elder, who also designed the famous Manneken Pis. The current restoration of the church began as part of a larger conservation program in 2003 and is expected to continue until February 28, 2027.