After a comprehensive 2.5-year restoration, the Antwerp St Andrew's Church now shines in its full glory, free from scaffolding and revealing its restored exterior.
The restoration work, funded by a grant from the Flemish government, involved cleaning approximately 3,400 m2 of façade, replacing damaged masonry, and directing around 2,500 m2 of repointing. All stained glass windows were restored in a workshop and fitted with protective glazing to guard against the elements. The roof was completely refurbished with new slates and gutters, and the copper on the domes was replaced. The sphere beneath the tower cross, the cross itself, and the weather vane were also refurbished and regilded.
During the dismantling and rebuilding of the lantern tower, restorers made a remarkable discovery. The bell hanging there was found to have been cast in 1655 by the famous bell makers Hemony and originally came from the carillon of the now-demolished Sint-Michiels Abbey, once one of the region’s most powerful abbeys.
In keeping with the restoration of Sint-Jacobskerk, local wildlife was also considered, with 88 swift nest boxes installed. The successful completion of the restoration was celebrated on Friday 9 May, with a neighbourhood festival where local residents enjoyed a guided tour and a toast to the achievement. The St Andrew's Church, with its late Gothic style and Baroque elements, remains a significant testament to Antwerp’s history and culture.
