Church of Our Lady of Good Help

To admire swirling baroque marble and gold leaf, the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe van Goede Bijstandkerk in Brussels is the place to be. Jan Pieter van Baurscheit the Elder made the main altar into a particularly striking feature. God gives his blessing beneath a radiant sun surrounded by many little cherubs.

The baroque Church of Our Lady of Good Help (Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Goede Bijstandkerk) is located in a neighbourhood that once housed a guesthouse for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. They have worshipped a miraculous statue of Mary here since 1625. The shortened church nave joins a circular construction below a hexagonal dome. The emblem of Governor Charles Alexander of Lorraine can be seen above the door. Upon entering, the eighteenth century white marble holy water fonts with cherub heads by the 17th century Flemish artist Gabriel Grupello immediately catch your attention.

The main altar, partly consisting of marble and partly of painted wood, dates back to 1705. It was created using a drawing by the Antwerp sculptor Jan Pieter van Baurscheit the Elder. Medallions visible on both sides are attributed to the Brussels sculptor Gilles-Lambert Godecharle. They depict Joachim and Saint Anne, Mary’s parents.