Lierneux, the church of Saint Andrew

The St. Andrew's Church (French: l'église Saint-André) is a church building in Lierneux in the Belgian province of Liège.

In 670, there was already a chapel here. The Romanesque church, classified in 1943, was destroyed during World War II. It is a Romanesque building consisting of a square prominent west tower crowned with an onion dome, a nave with five bays, and a choir with two bays and a round closure. Around the central spire are four small flanking onion-shaped towers. The building has arched windows.

As a result of the ravages of time and the Battle of the Bulge in the winter of 1944-45, the old church, which dated back to 692, was destroyed. In the early 1960s, a new church was built in neo-Romanesque style.

Inside, the round choir opens onto a rectangular nave. The original baptismal font (16th century) and the shrines of Saint Andrew (17th century) and Saint Symeter (13th century) have fortunately been preserved. The latter is a beautiful example of goldsmithing in the Rhenish Romanesque style. Saint Symeter is a little-known saint (possibly a Roman martyr), but in Lierneux, they certainly refer to him as a 'great' saint (given the pronunciation 'si maitre' of his name in French).

Also, take a look at the two beautiful gravestones with coats of arms in the chapel at the back.

Saint Symeter Shrine

The church in Lierneux is officially dedicated to Saint Andrew, but is also subordinately dedicated to Saint Symeter. This lesser-known saint is a Christian martyr from the middle of the 2nd century, originally buried in Rome. The silver shrine from the mid-13th century bears the characteristics of Mosan art. It is not a masterpiece, but this reliquary is a rare witness to the influence of goldsmiths from the Meuse region on folk art at that time.

Saint Andrew Shrine

On the other side of the altar stands the shrine of Saint Andrew, apostle, brother of Saint Peter, crucified on an X-shaped cross. This silver shrine is three centuries younger than that of Saint Symeter. Experts discern the influence of the German style in it.

16th-Century Baptismal Font

The baptismal font, dating from the 16th century, reminds us that the church was built in the Middle Ages. It is made of carved blue stone. We can recognize the likeness of the four rivers of Paradise, as well as various faces in low relief, in a very naive style.

'The Resurrection of Jesus' by André Simar

In the baptistry, which features an old basin from the 16th century, there is a work by the painter André Simar, titled 'The Resurrection of Jesus'. The artist, fascinated by color from a young age, created an atypical and overwhelming work that bursts with life and energy. His fragmented style is inspired by comic books, but also notice the stained glass and collage.

Gravestones in the Chapel

In the chapel, two high-quality gravestones are visible. They belong to two priests, Father François Gerkinet (died in 1758) and his successor in the church of Lierneux, the Reverend P.-F. Dupont (died in 1780). They are carved from slate blocks, which are common in the region.

Gravestones from the Old Cemetery

Outside the church, notable for its bulbous bell tower, there is also a collection of carved stone crosses (especially in Ottré stone, so smooth to the touch, typical of the region). The striking motifs are characteristic of the late 18th and 19th centuries: skull and bones, six-pointed star, candlesticks, stylized flowers,...

Jan Rymenams