Sint-Catharinakerk

In the heart of the charming city of Maaseik in Belgium stands the impressive Sint-Catharinakerk, a 19th-century architectural gem that beckons visitors with its rich history and striking design. This neoclassical church, dedicated to Saint Catherine of Alexandria, is not only the main parish church of Maaseik but also a treasure trove of religious artifacts and historical significance.

The History of Sint-Catharinakerk

The current Sint-Catharinakerk is the second or third church to occupy this historic site. The earliest church likely dates back to 1245, coinciding with the establishment of the Maaseik parish. The predecessor of the present church was a single-nave Gothic structure built from marlstone, featuring a nave supported by five buttresses and pointed arch windows. Over the centuries, the church underwent several expansions and reconstructions. In the 16th century, the church was enlarged, and in the 17th century, the choir was rebuilt. The massive square tower, rebuilt in 1596, was possibly a remnant of an older Romanesque church. This tower, crowned with a low spire and battlements, served as the main entrance to the church.

From 1570 to 1797, the Sint-Catharinakerk functioned as the collegiate church of the Our Lady Chapter, which succeeded the Aldeneik Abbey. The canons, feeling unsafe outside the city walls at the beginning of the Eighty Years' War, moved to Maaseik. The Gothic predecessor of the Sint-Catharinakerk was then expanded with a canons' choir, and several canons' houses and chapter buildings sprang up in the vicinity. In 1797, the chapter was dissolved by the French occupiers, and the original church furnishings were entirely lost during this period.

In 1800, a storm damaged the church roof, and due to the anti-clerical climate of the time, repairs were delayed. In 1802, a wall of the baptismal chapel and part of the tower collapsed. The remaining tower collapsed in 1804, rendering the church unusable. The parish church, which had taken the place of the collegiate church, moved to the former Minorite Church. In 1806, the ruins of the old parish church were publicly sold and demolished. In 1837, a decision was made to build a new church on the same site, designed by architect H. Leemans. Construction began in 1840, and the church was consecrated in 1845. The tower, designed by architect Herman Jaminé, was completed in 1859 and required several repairs, including after a severe storm in 1899 and damage during World War II.

Exploring Sint-Catharinakerk

The Sint-Catharinakerk is a neoclassical basilica with a three-aisled nave of eight bays and a choir with a semicircular apse. The church is constructed of brick on a base of Namur stone. The west façade features a risalit with hardstone corner bands over the width of the central nave, crowned with a triangular pediment. Flanking the risalit are round-arched niches, which house statues of the apostles Peter and Paul, placed in 1913. Rising from the west façade is the 76-meter-high church tower, topped with a distinctive green copper spire, added in 1948. The sacristy on the north side is of later origin.

The Interior of Sint-Catharinakerk

Inside, the church is entirely in neoclassical style, with white plastered walls. The central nave and choir are covered by dome-shaped vaults between wide girders with coffered decoration. The side aisles are separated from the central nave by columns with Tuscan capitals.

The church's furnishings are noteworthy, including the baroque main altar (P.G. Tabaquit and G.F. Godin/Goffin, circa 1700), originally from the Saint Perpetuus Church in Dinant and installed in the Sint-Catharinakerk in 1868. The altar features a large altarpiece depicting the Assumption of Mary, attributed to Gerard de Lairesse or J. Riga, and is crowned with a marble statue of Christ Pantocrator by Dinant sculptor F. Sacré. The baroque side altars, dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua and Saint Catherine of Siena, date from the 18th century. The oak choir stalls, from the Saint Aldegondis Church in Alken, and the organ case are also 18th-century works. The red marble baptismal font with a brass cover dates from the early 19th century. The four oak confessionals are neo-baroque (1871, 1897). Other decorations from the same period include the painted Stations of the Cross by I. Lange (1863) and the stained glass windows (1869).

The Treasury of Sint-Catharinakerk

The sacristy houses an exceptional church treasure, including several very old artworks. Most of these items were brought from the former Aldeneik Abbey by the canons in 1570. Although the church's goods were confiscated by the French in 1796, the sexton managed to save most of the treasures, sparing them from destruction, melting, or forced sale. A comparison with a 1647 inventory shows that the treasure is almost intact.

The church treasure includes the Codex Eyckensis from the 8th century, the oldest Gospel book in the Benelux. There are also various relics attributed to Saints Harlindis and Relindis. Some reliquaries in the treasure date from the 9th or 10th century. The textile collection, though small, contains some very rare pieces, including the so-called David Silk (8th/9th century), the veil of Harlindis, a stole-like fabric (9th century, possibly with older parts), and the oldest Anglo-Saxon fabrics in the world (8th/9th century).

In 2019 and 2020, the church treasure was part of the art project Flemish Masters in Situ, showcasing its historical and artistic significance.

In conclusion, the Sint-Catharinakerk in Maaseik is not just a place of worship; it is a beacon of history, art, and culture. Its walls and treasures tell stories that span centuries, making it an unmissable destination for anyone visiting this beautiful Belgian city.