Located on the historic Place Royale in the Royal Quarter of Brussels, the Church of St. James on Coudenberg offers a striking neoclassical architectural experience. Designed by Gilles-Barnabé Guimard and Louis Montoyer between 1776 and 1787, this former abbey church replaced earlier places of worship demolished during urban planning projects.
Today, it stands as a designated historic monument, royal parish church, and cathedral of the Military Ordinariate of Belgium. It even served as the site where King Leopold I took his oath in 1831. When you visit, you will first notice its impressive exterior, which resembles a Greco-Roman temple with six Corinthian columns, colossal statues of King David and Moses, and a golden 1851 fresco by Jean Portaels on the pediment.
Atop the building, a 19th-century octagonal bell tower and copper dome draw your eye skyward. Step inside to explore a sober, light-filled interior lined with Corinthian columns. Highlights include a white marble Roman-style altar housing a tabernacle from Cambron Abbey, intricate apse bas-reliefs by Gilles-Lambert Godecharle, a 1793 pulpit by Jozef Van Meeuwen, large paintings by Jean-François Portaels, and an 1844 gallery pipe organ.
What to see at Church of St. James on Coudenberg
- Greco-Roman temple-style façade featuring six Corinthian columns and pediment statues
- Colossal 18th-century statues of King David and Moses framing the entrance
- Jean Portaels' 1851 gold-background fresco, The Consoling Virgin of the Afflicted
- White marble Roman-style altar housing a 1789 tabernacle from Cambron Abbey
- Gallery pipe organ constructed in 1844 by organ-builder Pierre Schyven
Visiting tips
Take a moment on the front steps to stand where King Leopold I took his historic oath in 1831 to become the first King of the Belgians.
How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning
How to get there & what’s nearby
Church of St. James on Coudenberg is easy to reach on Brussels’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula and Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Brussels travel guide.
See the full Brussels travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.