Experience

ANTWERP | St James’ Church (Sint-Jacobskerk) fully reopens after seven years of restoration

Posted by Timothy on

After an extensive seven-year restoration, the monumental St James’ Church (Sint-Jacobskerk) in Antwerp will fully reopen its doors to the public. From Friday 15 May, visitors will once again be able to explore the church and its rich heritage in all its glory. 

The restoration, a collaboration between the City of Antwerp, AG Vespa, and Flanders, has breathed new life into every corner of the building, from its soaring roofs to its hidden mural paintings.

The City of Antwerp, with AG Vespa as the project manager, began the full restoration of St James’ Church in 2019, with financial support from Flanders. To minimise disruption for visitors, the works were carried out in two major phases. 

First, the west side, including the nave and aisles, was restored, followed by the east side, which includes the high choir and the famous Rubens Chapel. This approach ensured that the church remained partially accessible and in use throughout the restoration.

A unique heritage of international significance

St James’ Church is one of the largest and most significant churches in Antwerp. Known as the starting point for the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, it houses the tomb chapel of the Flemish baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens. 

Together with its impressive collection of paintings, tomb monuments, and historic church furniture, the church forms an exceptional art and cultural-historical ensemble. 

To restore this heritage gem to its former glory, Flanders, through the Agency for Immovable Heritage, invested €8.78 million in the restoration works.

Flemish minister for Immovable Heritage, Ben Weyts (N-VA), highlighted that St James’ Church tells the story of Antwerp and Flanders, serving as a true showcase of their rich history. He noted that the tomb of Rubens is one of the absolute highlights, and anyone who steps inside this impressive church will feel proud of their heritage. The restoration aimed to preserve this heritage for future generations.

Mayor Els van Doesburg (N-VA) added that St James’ Church occupies a special place in the story of the city. For centuries, it has shaped the Antwerp skyline alongside the cathedral and served as the parish church of the urban elite. It is also the final resting place of Antwerp’s most famous citizen, Pieter Paul Rubens. The restoration was about more than preserving iconic heritage; it was about restoring a piece of Antwerp’s pride to its former glory.

A thorough restoration

The extensive structural works at St James’ Church took seven years and involved numerous sub-projects, with architect Stefanie Reyskens of Steenmeijer Architecten noting that every square centimetre of the church presented a unique challenge. 

Over 430,000 slates were renewed on the east side alone, and nearly 50,000 litres of lime paint were used inside. The roof trusses, stained-glass windows, bell frame, and dozens of historical elements were all addressed. Reyskens explained that the tightly built urban environment made it difficult to manoeuvre large materials, adding to the complexity of the work.

The restoration of the interior of the Rubens chapel, carried out between 2022 and 2026, was undertaken by the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage (KIK). This exceptional ensemble was thoroughly studied and restored with respect for its authenticity and historical context. The central altarpiece, ‘Madonna with Child, Surrounded by Saints‘, painted by Rubens, along with the entire altar, epitaph, and both tomb monuments, were restored to their former splendour.

One of the highlights is the monumental painting ‘The Miraculous Draught of Fishes‘ by the Antwerp baroque painter Jacob Jordaens. Restaurators Caroline Meert, Kaat Sneiders, and Sara Dewilde worked on it for ten months. 

Meert explained that the canvas had been severely yellowed by old varnishes, but the most significant challenge was the overpainting from previous treatments. Some past interventions had been particularly drastic, with certain elements, such as the hand of Jesus, completely repainted and altered. These had to be carefully removed. The removal of the yellowed varnish layers ultimately led to a spectacular transformation, bringing the colours back to life in a truly impressive way. T

he restaurators also gained a deeper understanding of Jordaens’ technique, noting how he created bodies, worked with colours, and meticulously painted details.

The painting was restored in an open studio at the Snijders&Rockox House Museum and has now returned to its familiar place in the church.

The façades have been fully restored, and the roofs have received 426,650 new slates. The stained-glass windows, totalling 1,738 square metres, have been thoroughly cleaned and repaired. They have been fitted with protective secondary glazing with UV-resistant and, in some cases, infrared filters. 

The roof trusses in the attics were fully revised and restored where necessary, using historical connection techniques as much as possible. Restoration, plastering, and general painting works were carried out on the interior walls and vaults, using three layers of lime paint with a composition specifically determined for St James’ Church.

Both organs were dismantled and restored in the workshop. The large Anneessens organ will be reinstalled above the west entrance by the end of 2026, while the Forçeville organ from the choir loft will return by the end of 2027. After installation, both will be further intonated on site. The bell frame was restored in oak so that the bells can ring as they once did.

During the works, surprises regularly emerged. Specialists discovered mural paintings hidden beneath old layers of paint, which were more numerous and better preserved than expected. These discoveries provided special moments on the site. Smaller finds, such as an inscription from a painter in 1941 noting his hunger during the works, brought the restaurateurs closer to the past.

A number of remarkable mural paintings, painted in a wide range of styles and mostly dating from the 16th century, were uncovered and restored. Many 17th-century shadow paintings were also carefully reconstructed. All the stars on the ceiling were regilded with a new layer of gold leaf. The outbuildings, such as the vestry and the various sacristies, were also restored. The painted ceiling of the deaf confessional, a separate room where the deaf and hard of hearing could go to confession, was restored. Visitors can now view and listen to several reports made during the restoration.

Hilde De Clercq, general director of the KIK, explained that mysteries still surround the altarpiece ‘Madonna with Child, Surrounded by Saints’. It is suspected that the work stood in Rubens’ studio for years before it was placed in the church. 

Scientific imaging revealed hidden details, showing that Rubens made changes to the work during the painting process, a typical approach for him. The painting was also found to be particularly fragile, with some panels being as thin as four millimetres. For De Clercq, the project was about more than just art; this heritage belongs to the people of Antwerp and is part of their identity.

Many additional artworks and objects in poor condition, including various paintings and an offering box, were restored by restoration specialists from the city of Antwerp.

Alderman for Religious Services, Stijn De Rooster (N-VA), commented that since 2019, a mountain range of titanic and precision work had been carried out to restore the late Gothic and opulent St James’ Church to its full baroque and marbled glory. Many skilled hands with a passion for the abundant ecclesiastical heritage in their proud city on the Scheldt had delivered a veritable tour de force, ensuring the long life of this monumental church, which masterfully connects old and new, faith and art, residents and visitors. With the Rubens year approaching, the restoration of his invaluable final resting place is also an early birthday gift and a tribute to this Antwerp great and Flemish baroque master.

Minor restorations

Until the end of 2028, medium-sized and smaller restoration works will continue in the church, visible to and followable by visitors. These will focus on the altars, including two Renaissance altars, chapel closures, and statues and sculptures. For two triptychs, a temporary restoration studio will be set up in the church. The richly decorated wedding chapel will also be fully restored.

The future

With this restoration, St James’ Church is ready for the future as a vibrant place of worship, a heritage monument, and a cultural meeting place.

The Eucharist, sacraments, and prayer moments remain a core function. The liturgy takes place in the high choir, leaving ample space for non-religious purposes. The church will become a living museum, with professional care for the collection and a wide range of guided tours, exhibitions, and educational activities. In addition to religion and heritage, there will be space for accessible cultural activities, such as concerts, lectures, and academic gatherings.

From 15 May, the church will be open to the public daily between 14:00 and 17:00.

On the look of Antwerp

Art and museums in Antwerp

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