Overview:

is a Roman Catholic church and the largest neo-Gothic church in Belgium. Built between 1859 and 1869 in the heart of Ghent, this architectural gem blends different styles, has a baroque interior and is listed as an outstanding urban and religious heritage. St. James' Church houses several famous works of art by, among others, Lucas Faydherbe and Jan van Cleef. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Belgium
Prominent Features:

1. Gothic Revival architecture: St. James' Church, Ghent was constructed in Gothic Revival style, incorporating features such as pointed arches and spires to evoke the grandeur of medieval architecture. 2. Brick facade: The church's exterior is faced with brick, including a bare brick window and pointed arch openings that recall the Gothic style. 3. Statues: Decorating the main entrance are two towering statues of saints, as well as smaller statues depicting angels. 4. Cloistered courtyard: Adjacent to the church is a tranquil cloistered courtyard containing a small graveyard. 5. Interior features: Inside, visitors can admire the ornate ceiling and the marble altar, along with four stained glass windows that depict scenes from the life of St. James. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Belgium.

History:

St. James' Church in Ghent, Belgium, is a prominent example of Gothic revival architecture. It is a large Roman Catholic church, located in the historic city center of Ghent. It is officially known as the St. James’ Church of Nazareth and is part of the Diocese of Ghent. The church was founded in 1352 and was originally dedicated to St. James the Apostle, though it later took the name of the Church of Our Lady, St. James of Nazareth. Construction of the original Gothic style building was begun at later date and was completed in 1459. It was extensively restored in the 19th century, according to the Gothic revival style, and was re-dedicated in 1845. Today, the church is famed as an impressive example of late-Gothic architecture. It features an impressive central spire, which dominates the Ghent skyline, and a beautiful Baroque style façade. Inside, the church showcases a range of impressive works of art, including several large stained glass windows and a magnificent marble altarpiece by Eik van Utrecht. The church also contains the tomb of Bishop Johannes Gamma, a prominent figure in the Reformation movement in Belgium. St. James’ Church is a major landmark in the city of Ghent and is regularly visited by both tourists and locals alike. It serves as the main church for the diocese and its services are well attended. In recent times, it has also become a popular wedding and baptismal venue. Visit one of the famous monuments of Belgium with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. St. James’ Church in Ghent is one of the oldest churches in the country, first built during the 11th century. 2. The church underwent several renovations throughout its history and is today the only surviving medieval church in the city. 3. The original architecture is renowned for its unique style, characterized by an extravagant mixture of Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque elements. 4. It houses a priceless collection of artwork and sculptures, including a 12th century baptismal font intricately carved out of stone, as well as an intricately painted wooden tabernacle from the 15th century. 5. St. James’ Church in Ghent is also home to a crypt, which is known to contain the remains of many important figures including the famous 16th century Dutch philosopher, Desiderius Erasmus. 6. The church is also infamous for its role in the Ghent Altarpiece case of 1934 in which its interior was robbed of six panels of the renowned panel painting. One of the historical monuments of Belgium, it tells the story of a bygone era