Saint Begga Collegiate Church

The Saint Begga Collegiate Church, known locally as Collegiale kerk Sint-Begga, stands as a majestic testament to both faith and history in the heart of Andenne, Belgium. This neoclassical Roman Catholic church, designed by the renowned architect Laurent-Benoît Dewez, is a beacon of architectural brilliance and historical significance. The church was designed in 1764, with its first stone laid on July 23 of that year, and its construction spanning from 1770 to 1775. It was consecrated in 1773 and dedicated to Saint Begga, a figure of immense historical importance.

The Story of Saint Begga

Saint Begga, who passed away around 694, was the great-great-grandmother of Charlemagne and came from aristocratic lineage. She was the daughter of Pepin of Landen and the sister of Saint Gertrude of Nivelles. Her life was marked by turmoil, especially after the murder of her husband, Ansegisus. Following the recommendations of Pope Sergius I, Begga founded a monastery in Andenne in 692 as a thanksgiving to God for her son Pepin of Herstal's victory. According to legend, she followed divine instructions in establishing what would later become the city of Andenne.

The Evolution of the Monastery

The monastery, initially intended for 30 regular canonesses who lived by strict rules, also required a male presence for liturgical services. Thus, ten regular canons were allowed, providing a sense of protection for the canonesses. By the 9th century, the monastery began to secularize, reaching its peak in the late 12th century. It then came under the leadership of laypersons, recruiting only members of the aristocracy who could sustain themselves financially. The Charter of Namur in 1207 confirmed the transition to a noble chapter, bringing wealth and lands on the left bank of the Meuse to the monastery.

Over time, the community transformed into a boarding school for children of noble descent, preparing them for potential marriages within their social class. Those who remained part of the chapter often attained high political, economic, or social positions. The town of Andenne, apart from the noble chapter, consisted of two districts with seven churches. In 1762, these churches were in such disrepair that they were demolished with the permission of Maria Theresa of Austria, and their stones were reused to build the current church. The Rue des sept églises in Andenne still commemorates these churches.

The Current Church

The current Saint Begga Collegiate Church is constructed from Meuse limestone and features a rare choir tower. The interior of the nave and aisles is modest, while the choir, transept, and choir chapels are more elaborate. High above the altar is a triumphal group depicting the risen Christ accompanied by angels, with a painting of The Ascension of the Virgin by Antwerp painter Antheunis below it.

The choir houses a Gothic stone baptismal font from the 15th century and a lectern from 1510. Six works by Isidore Lecrenier from Huy, commissioned in 1856-1858, depict the life of Begga. The choir stalls, likely built in the 17th century, originate from an older collegiate church. In the left transept, there is an altar dedicated to Saint Joseph, with a 17th-century painting of Saint Begga above it. The right transept features an altar dedicated to the Sacred Heart, with a 19th-century painting of Begga's sister, Saint Gertrude.

The vault in the crossing is adorned with symbolic representations of the four evangelists: Luke with the ox, John with the eagle, Mark with the lion, and Matthew with the angel. The aisles house several confessionals with carved elements, made in 1778 by N. Pierard from Bouvignes-sur-Meuse. The pulpit, crafted in 1779 by carpenter J.-J. Genicot, features medallion decorations carved from wood by François-Joseph Denis from Namur in the same year.

Among the notable artworks is the painting Massacre of the Innocents, created in 1615 by Louis Finson from Bruges. Two brass panels near the side entrances list the names of 218 individuals executed by German soldiers during World War I on August 20 and 21, 1914.

At the back, on the gallery, is an organ built in 1731 by Thomas Weidtman from Ratingen, Germany. This organ was originally in the old collegiate church and was combined with the organ from the old Saint Peter’s Church in the current church. The treasury houses various items, including a Merovingian reliquary of Saint Begga, silverware, liturgical vestments, paintings, tombstones, cult objects, decorations, Andenne porcelain, and printed works.

The Grave of Saint Begga and Her Cult

In a choir chapel to the left of the high choir lies the grave of Saint Begga. This 12th-century grave monument is covered with a black marble table resting on five pillars, known as the Table of Begga, believed to possess supernatural qualities. Every Friday, after the 7:30 AM Mass, mothers brought their sickly children to slide them between the table and the base, repeating the act three times or a total of 27 times during a novena. Begga was also invoked to cure stutterers due to her name (stuttering in French: bégaiment). The procession in her honor still takes place on July 7.

The Saint Begga Collegiate Church is not just a place of worship but a repository of rich history and cultural heritage, making it a must-visit for anyone exploring Andenne.