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For other uses, see Anderlecht.

The Collegiate Church of St. Peter and St. Guido, in Anderlecht

The Collegiate Church of St. Peter and St. Guido (French: Collégiale Saints-Pierre-et-Guidon d'Anderlecht) is a Catholic religious building located in Anderlecht, a municipality situated south-west of the city of Brussels. The church was built in the 14th century in Brabantine gothic style. The church was endowed for a college of canons to recite the Divine Office. It is the main church in Anderlecht and the place of worship of the local parish.

History

A canonical chapter was created near St. Peter’s Church, then the main church of the village of Anderlecht, and established in 1046 by Reinelde d’Aa, a member of an influential family of the Duchy of Brabant. The first church was in Romanesque style, as evidenced by the crypt (11th century) still remaining under the choir of the Church of St. Peter and St. Guido. In this crypt lies a very old tombstone (11th century), with no inscription but with a leafy branch as the only decoration. A long tradition of popular pilgrimages considers it to be the tomb of Saint Guy, the "Poor Man of Anderlecht", who died around 1012. The building that we know today was built between 1350 and 1527, the square tower dates from 1517. Jan van Ruysbroeck, who also designed the tower of Brussels Town Hall, was responsible for the works between 1479 and 1485. The works from this time were made of stones coming from Avesne and Dilbeek.

The collegiate church took the name of St. Peter and St. Guido when, a century after the saint’s death, a Vita Guidonis written by one of the canons made the "Poor Man of Anderlecht" known. The tomb of Saint Guy began to attract a large number of pilgrims. The college of canons was suppressed in 1796 but the church kept its title.

Restoration works were carried out on the church between 1843 and 1847, under the direction of the architect Jules-Jacques Van Ysendyck. In 1898, the square tower was surmounted with a spire. Works in the years 1994 to 1997 enhanced the elegance of the church with appropriate night lighting.

Description

General architecture

The nave of the church (which has a Latin cross plan) only includes four not very high bays and extends past the transept into a relatively deep choir (including the canons’ choir stalls).

Crypt

The crypt, which dates back to the original (Romanesque style) church is in a good state of conservation. Four columns that stand there are believed to come from an ancient Roman villa.

Tombstones and burials

Tombstone of Pierre van Dievoet (1697-1740), assistant parish priest and secretary of the canonical chapter of Anderlecht and his brother, Canon Pierre-Jacques-Joseph van Dievoet (1706-1764)

A hundred tombstones of canons, who died between the 15th century and the 18th century, cover the floor of the transept, the neve and the aisles.

• Pierre van Dievoet (1697-1740), assistant parish priest and secretary of the canonical chapter of Anderlecht and his brother, Canon Pierre-Jacques-Joseph van Dievoet (1706-1764)

• Albert Dithmar, a renowned doctor from Braine-l'Alleud, attached to the court of the Duchy of Brabant, who attended at the deathbed of Everard t’Serclaes. The inscription reads: Hic iacet egregius singularis.... vir Albertus cognomine dithmari de civilate brenien oriundus arcium et medecine mgr eximius illustrisimoru quonda principu ac ducu brabancie anthonii iohannis et philippi phisicus electus nec non venerabiliu ecclesiarum monten senogien anderlechten canonicus dignissimus qui decessit ab humanis anno domini millesimo q dragetesimo tricesimo nono die prima mensis septembris cuius memoria ut benedictioni permaneat animaque cum sanctis in gloria perenniter requiescat. That is to say: "Here lies the outstanding individual Albert Dithmar, native of Braine, master of arts and medicine, well known to three illustrious dukes of Brabant Anthony, Jehan and Philip, and their chosen physician; notable canon of the churches of Mons, Soignies and Anderlecht; who departed this world in the year of our Lord 1439 on the first day of September in order for his remembrance and his soul to be blessed may he rest in glory with the saints."
• In the choir the mausoleum of Jean de Walcourt, lord of Braine-le-Château, marshal of Hainaut (died in 1362) can be found. It lies amongst other monuments erected in memory of members of his family, heirs and descendants of the Aa family, the founders of the Collegiate canonical chapter.

Other significant elements

Right of the right aisle is the large Lady Chapel, where the statue of the Virgin Mary (Notre-Dame des Grâces) was kept. The statue had previously stood in the Carthusian monastery of Scheut. Scenes of the life of Saint Guy were painted on the walls.

Canons

The canonical chapter of Anderlecht was created in 1046 by Renelde d'Aa. It gathered prominent personalities and scholars and played a cultural and religious role for eight centuries.

Surroundings of the church

The church is located not far from the Old Beguinage of Anderlecht and the house of the canon and scholaster of St. Peter and St. Guido, Petrus Wychmannus. In 1521, he hosted his friend, Erasmus, the great Renaissance humanist, for a few months. Under the name of Erasmus House, this house is now a museum dedicated to Erasmus and the Renaissance.

References

• "L'église collégiale de St Pierre à Anderlecht". In : Antonius Sanderus, Le grand théâtre du duché de Brabant, vol. 1, part 2, The Hague, Chrétien Van Lom, 1729, p. 291-307.

Accessibility

Metro Saint-Guidon station Bus STIB 46 et 49 Tram STIB 81 Bus Delijn 116 117 118 140