Church of Our Lady of Finisterrae

Origins As early as the 15th century, a small chapel dedicated to Our Lady stood near Brussels' vegetable gardens, at the edge of the urban area (with some exaggeration Finis Terrae or "End of the World"), hence the name it acquired of Our Lady of Finisterrae. Another tradition has it that the name comes from a small statue of Our Lady brought back from Cape Finisterre in Galicia, Spain, which became the object of popular devotion. The original chapel was destroyed in an invasion by the Netherlands during the Eighty Years' War, but it was subsequently rebuilt on a larger scale thanks to the many donations and endowments from pilgrims. In 1617, the archbishop of Mechelen Matthias Hovius solemnly consecrated the new sanctuary, and in 1620, the statue of Our Lady of Finisterrae was returned to its rightful place. In the 17th century, the district had become highly urbanised and was incorporated into the City of Brussels. To accommodate this growing population, the chapel was promoted to a parish church in 1646, served by the Oratorians of Saint Philip Neri, which already had to be enlarged by 1654. Restoration work was carried out in 1988, based on 1983 plans by the architects M. and P. Mignot. ==Description==

The church has a neoclassical appearance, even if the influence of Brabantine Baroque, which rejected overly severe straight lines, is perceptible. The building adopts the basilica plan: three-aisled with a central nave, two side aisles, and a semi-circular choir, without a transept. The five-bay main nave is closed by a semi-circular apse, while the side aisles end with chapels. ==Exterior==

The somewhat heterogeneous façade comprises two distinct sections: the lower part, which is neoclassical, and the upper part, which is more Baroque. The rectangular portal, surrounded by Doric columns, is surmounted by an entablature supporting a triangular tympanum and a slightly recessed panel bearing the inscription "LAUS TUA / IN FINES TERRAE" ("Praised unto the end of the world", Psalm 47). The upper section of the pediment is flanked by decorative fins with flares. The bell tower, whose central part is aligned with the portal, features a niche decorated in 1857 with a relief of a Madonna by the sculptor van Aerendonck (replacing an older statue of Our Lady from 1843), as well as curved side bays with rectangular windows. Mary is standing on a crescent moon, with one foot treading on the head of a serpent, corresponding to the depiction of the Woman of the Apocalypse from the Book of Revelation on the one hand, and reflecting the Immaculate Conception on the other. The Holy Ghost hovers above her head in the form of a dove. The aisles adjoin the sides of the façade and a stone balustrade runs around the tower, which is capped by a copper dome and octagonal lantern with louvers and clock, bearing the cross (1828). File:Bruxelles Eglise du Finistère 01.jpg|Main façade File:Finistèrekerk Brussel 02.jpg|Upper part of the façade File:Eglise Notre-Dame du Finistère - 09.JPG|Decorative fin with flare ==Interior==

The interior, with its Late Baroque decorations of stucco and faux marble with composite motifs of garlands, foliage, shells, etc., contrasts with the layout of the façade. located at the front of the church above the main entrance, is by Hippolyte Loret, and was last restored in 1999 by the firm of Thomas and Jean Ferrard. File:Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Finisterraekerk Brussel 12-4-2018 14-07-43.jpg|The nave File:Brussel_Finisterraekerk_R04.jpg|Main altar and choir File:Bruxelles Eglise du Finistère 10.jpg|Statue in the nave File:Preekstoel Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Finisterraekerk Brussel 12-4-2018 14-08-11.jpg|Pulpit by I. Duray Senior (1758) File:2043-00220-Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van de Finisterekerk.jpg|Organ by Hippolyte Loret (1848–1856) File:Bruxelles Eglise du Finistère 08.jpg|Side chapel Chapel of Our Lady of Good Fortune '' (16th century) Another polychrome wooden statuette of a Madonna and Child (Sedes Sapientiae) has found a home in the church; it is said to bring good luck in games of chance and in examinations. Originally from St Machar's Cathedral in Aberdeen, Scotland, it is believed to have been sent to Dunkirk by William Laing, the Procurer for the King of Spain. The statue came to Brussels in 1625, where it was venerated in the Temple of the Augustinians. It was transferred to Finisterrae in 1814, when the Augustinian Temple became a Protestant place of worship. Due to the large number of faithful who came to pray to Notre Dame du Bon Succès ("Our Lady of Good Fortune"), a side chapel was built in 1852 to house it. ==See also==