Saint-Remy Church

The church of Saint-Rémy – Saint-Rémy-Geest
Rue de la Cense Bivort • 1370 Jodoigne (Saint-Remy-Geest)
This classical church, built on a high point of the village, is entirely made of Gobertange stone. Its clean lines and simple decoration illustrate the classical style that was widespread in the 18th century. It consists of a nave with four bays and a narrower choir ending in a three-sided apse.
In the 17th century, this parish church was attached to the Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Laurent in Liège. History tells us that in 1666, the Bishop of Namur, who was visiting the building, noted the deplorable state of certain elements, particularly the windows of the side chapels and the cemetery; issues that the municipal council promised to address.
It took a hundred years for the abbot of Saint-Laurent, eager to rebuild the church which was in a state of advanced disrepair, to establish plans. Unfortunately, the abbot was so rushed that the mayor, the aldermen, and the main landowners of the village complained about not having been able to consult the plans. This led to a lawsuit before the Brabant council, which, with the approval of the lord of the village, resulted in an agreement that addressed the complaints of the residents.
The new plans, drawn up by architect Bovesse at the request of the residents, extended the choir by 16 feet and added an extra window on each side. A rood screen was built above the portal, and the community had an octagonal spire erected, 30 feet high. For the anecdote, the agreement concluded that the maintenance of this spire would be the responsibility of the community, except for the lower part, at a height of 7 feet, a height planned in the first plans of the abbot!

Ontmoet je buren