Bellingen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The 375-year-old Anna de Croy organ in Bellingen’s former Cantimpré Abbey was restored by Guido Schumacher. A concert on Sunday features Sarah Copriau, Stin Hanssens, honouring Duchess Anna de Croy.
As VRT News reported, the Anna de Croy organ in the church of the former Cantimpré Abbey in Bellingen, near Pepingen, in East Flanders, Belgium, is ready for use again after a long restoration. Jan Liefooghe said the instrument is a strong link to the past. For centuries, its music filled the abbey during Mass and private prayers.
Who will celebrate the 375-year-old Anna de Croy organ in Bellingen?
On Sunday, Sep 7, 2025, at 3 p.m., the organ will be played again in a special concert. Sarah Copriau and Stin Hanssens will perform, accompanied by several other musicians. The program is a tribute to Duchess Anna de Croy and her historical legacy. It will include a mix of baroque music, traditional folk pieces, arrangements of Beatles songs, and works by female composers.
The restoration of the Anna de Croy organ took nearly 2 years. The work was carried out by organ builder Guido Schumacher from Eupen. Guido Schumacher of Eupen. Schumacher is renowned for constructing and restoring significant historical organs, such as those in Antwerp Cathedral and St. Martin’s Basilica in Halle.
The restoration maintained the organ’s original character. Schumacher is known for building and restoring important historical organs, including those in Antwerp Cathedral and St. Martin’s Basilica in Halle. The restoration preserved the organ’s original character.
The organ is almost 375 years old and is considered an important part of local heritage. The original builder is unknown. The organ is named after Duchess Anna de Croy, a 17th-century noblewoman who lived in Enghien Castle.
She regularly attended Mass at Cantimpré Abbey and supported the abbey as a patron. The duchess had a private prayer room on the rood screen of the church. From there, she could listen to the organ while praying. Lieve Dekempeneer of Kunst in Pepingen said it is unusual for an organ to carry the name of a woman. She called it a rare heritage piece with an exceptional history.
