Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – St. Paul’s Church in Antwerp will start its renovation on February 3, 2025, lasting 4 years. The project aims to preserve its historical value, addressing structural issues and artworks. Local leaders Koen Kennis and Stin De Rooster emphasize its cultural significance.
The restoration of St. Paul’s Church will begin next Monday, February 10, 2025, and will take about 4 years to complete. Authorities mentioned that this project will focus on fixing the inside and outside of the church. The aim is to protect the church’s historical and architectural value.
According to officials, the restoration will address important problems like the foundations, roof, and outside walls. It will also take care of the church’s beautiful artworks, sculptures, and detailed woodwork. They mentioned that the goal is to keep the church beautiful and ensure it can still be a place for worship and cultural activities for future generations.
What are the details and significance of the upcoming restoration work at St. Paul’s Church in Antwerp?
According to Koen Kennis, a local leader, the church is old and has seen a lot over the years. The restoration will fix the roof, walls, and stained glass windows. It will also make the church stronger to prevent future problems. He said that in case everything goes as he plans, the work will be completed by 2028, which happens to be 60 years from the big fire.
Kennis said,
We must cherish our Antwerp heritage.
says Koen Kennis (N-VA), alderman for Heritage.
If the planning goes according to plan, the works should be completed in 2028. That is 60 years after the terrible roof fire that hit this church. We must cherish our Antwerp heritage.
St. Paul’s Church will be closed for restoration work from February 3, 2025, to March 31, 2025. However, services will still be held in the crypt of the church. Officials mentioned that this allows the community to continue worshipping.
According to Stijn De Riister, the closure is needed to prepare the site and start the restoration. The work will focus on making the building safe and preserving its history. He mentioned that after April 1, 2025, the church will be open to visitors every afternoon. People can watch the restoration and enjoy the church’s history and design.
The result of a restoration cannot be beautiful without getting your hands dirty. Heritage then temporarily becomes ‘site property’ to restore it to its former glory, keep it functional and pass it on to the next generations,
says Stijn De Rooster
Stijn De Rooster, the alderman for religious services, talked about the importance of restoring St. Paul’s Church. He said that hard work is needed to make something beautiful. The church will be like a construction site for a while to bring it back to its original beauty and keep it useful for future generations.
De Rooster mentioned that starting Monday, February 10, 2025, they will work carefully so the church can continue to share the story of Antwerp with visitors. He said that this restoration is about more than just fixing a building; it is about protecting an important part of Antwerp’s culture and faith for years to come.
According to officials, St. Paul’s Church has a long history. It was part of a Dominican monastery until the late 1700s. Then, the French government closed many monasteries. After that, the church became a parish church for the local community.
They mentioned that the upcoming restoration will help improve this important place. It will keep the church’s history and beauty while making it suitable for modern needs.
In 1968, a big fire caused serious damage. It burnt the roof and destroyed the Baroque tower. The fire also affected the nearby monastery, leaving most of it in ruins. Officials mentioned that many valuable items inside the church, like art and historic pieces, did not get damaged.
