The eight historic churches in Mechelen have sometimes very valuable organs, but they are often in deplorable condition. A major restoration campaign should put Mechelen on the map as an organ city.
The second organ to be addressed is that of the Sint-Pieter- en Paulkerk on the Veemarkt. It is an organ from 1713, but no longer playable due to neglect. The city is investing approximately 90,000 euros to restore the organ to its former value so that it can also be used for concerts. The Flemish authorities support the restoration with a financial injection of 30,000 euros. The baroque church has a secondary function as a concert church and the organ can be perfectly used there. The restoration is being carried out by organ builder Pieter Vanhaecke (Erps-Kwerps).
Currently, there are only three playable organs in the city center, namely that of the Sint-Romboutskathedraal (restored in 2019 by Rens Swart Orgelbouw), the organ of the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Hanswijkbasiliek and that of Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Leliëndael in the Bruul. The first organ that is being restored and will soon be delivered is that of the Onze Lieve Vrouw over de Dijlekerk. In early May, the valuable Van Peteghem organ will be moved from the deconsecrated Battel chapel to the Begijnhofkerk.
It is now waiting for approval of the restoration file for the organ of the Sint-Katelijnekerk - once a highly sought-after organ (Van Peteghem from 1774) with particularly beautiful sound. That file was already submitted in 2014 for an amount of 774,000 euros. That will therefore increase... A file for the restoration of the organ of the rich Sint-Janskerk is currently being drawn up.
If the eight churches, which were all renovated internally except for the Sint-Romboutskathedraal, can hear their organs sound again as they once did, Mechelen will immediately become the organ city of Flanders.
- WHAT: restorations of organs in historic churches in Mechelen
- PHOTOS: © Kerkfotografie, © Stad Mechelen, © Rens Swart, © Wikipedia