Location Antwerp Denomination Catholic Founder(s) Jacobus Tirinus Spire height 58 m Designated as world heritage site 1939 | Country Belgium Former name(s) St Ignatius Loyola Opened 1626 Phone +32 3 231 37 51 | |
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Website top.carolusborromeus.com Address Hendrik Conscienceplein 12, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium Diocese Roman Catholic Diocese of Antwerp Architects Pieter Huyssens, François d'Aguilon Similar Cathedral of Our Lady, St Paul's Church - Antwerp, St James' Church - Antwerp, Het Steen, Rubenshuis | ||
The St.-Carolus Borromeuskerk is a church in Antwerp, located on Hendrik Conscience square. The church was formerly known for 39 ceiling pieces by Rubens that were lost in a fire when it was struck by lightning on 18 July 1718.
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History
The church was inspired by the Church of the Gesu, the mother church of the Society of Jesus, a Roman Catholic religious order also known as the Jesuits. The church was built next to the Huis van Aecken, bought from the heirs of Erasmus II Schetz. It was the first church in the world to be dedicated to the Jesuit founder, Ignatius Loyola.
Rubens ceiling paintings
In 1617-1618 Rubens painted two altarpieces. He was also commissioned to paint the ceiling pieces, for which he made the designs while the execution was done mostly by pupils, including Anthony van Dyck. A contract was drawn up in 1620 by Jacobus Tirinus and the paintings were delivered a year later in time for the consecration. Rubens received 7,000 guilders for his works in the church, and though the lavish decorations including sculptures and other artwork were well received, Tirinus was dismissed in 1625 for going beyond his budget.
18th century
In 1718 the vault of the ship, including Rubens' ceiling paintings, was destroyed by fire. Jan Pieter van Baurscheidt the Elder restored the damaged parts according to the original plan, but replaced the original coffers with wide transverse arches. In 1773 the Society of Jesus was suppressed and the building was confiscated. It reopened in 1779, renamed St.-Carolus Borromeuskerk, after Charles Borromeo.
19th century
Since 1803 the St.-Carolus Borromeuskerk has been in use as a parish church. During the Dutch reign preceding Belgium's independence in 1830 the baroque interior was sobered to make it a Protestant church.
1980s restoration
A restoration campaign in the 1980s brought back the churches baroque splendor. Besides works by Rubens the interior displays paintings by Gerard Seghers, Daniel Seghers, and Cornelis Schut.
20th century
On 30 August 2009 fire broke out again, but none of the important artworks were damaged.