St Amandus Church
Pieter-Jozef Verhaghen (1728-1811)
Discover the fascinating history of the St Amandus Church in Erps and admire the work of Pieter-Jozef Verhaghen.
St Amandus Church
The neo-Gothic St Amandus Church is located in the centre of Erps. It was built in 1864 to replace the older Romanesque structure. What was once a modest village church, was transformed in the 17th century into a thriving place of pilgrimage where popular saints such as Saint Barbara were venerated. Since 1709 the church has preserved a relic that drew pilgrims from far and wide. A tradition that lasted until World War I. Because of its convenient location, Erps was particularly prosperous and played a prominent role in the region, thanks in part to the centuries-old cloth route between Leuven and Brussels. The wealthy tenants who governed the village were nicknamed, often mockingly, ‘the Lords of Erps’ in the 19th century.
Two altarpieces, Pieter-Jozef Verhaghen
Two altarpieces by the famous painter Pieter-Jozef Verhaghen testify to the prosperity of the church and its community. The Lords of Erps commissioned the works in 1785, proving their status at the time. They show the effigies of Saint Donatus and Saint Barbara. The worship of Saint Barbara dates back to the Middle Ages, whereas the worship of Saint Donatus did not start until 1706, the year the church was struck by lightning and almost completely burned down. After its reconstruction, the church was dedicated to Donatus to protect the building from thunderstorms and fire.
Practical information
Masters of Imagination: out and about in Leuven
