Église du Sacré-Cœur et Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes, Byzantine Revival church in Cointe, Belgium
This former church in Cointe displays characteristic Byzantine Revival features including rounded domes, decorative mosaics, and detailed stone carving throughout its exterior. The interior contains religious artworks and a thoughtfully designed layout that reflects the careful architectural planning of its construction.
Architect Joseph Smolderen designed this building in the post-World War I period as a memorial project, completed and consecrated in 1936. Its construction during this era reflects the importance placed on honoring and remembering the war years.
For decades this was the heart of the local Catholic community's worship life, with religious sculptures honoring saints that visitors can still see inside. The artworks reflect how people once gathered here to pray and celebrate their faith together in this special space.
The building sits in the Cointe neighborhood and is easy to spot from the street thanks to its distinctive Byzantine design and domed roof. Since it is now protected heritage property, access may be limited, so checking local information beforehand helps plan a visit.
The building was desacralized in 2010 and released for sale a few years later, making it a rare example of a former religious site that can pass into private ownership. This unusual aftermath shows how such structures are being repurposed in modern European cities.
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