What is MKG?

Monumentale Kerken Gent is the umbrella association for the historical churches in Ghent, which promotes the conservation and image of the extremely rich heritage in these places of worship. It is the point of contact and collaboration between these churches and aims to achieve a structured and methodical cooperation between the church councils and a large group of volunteers. This is made possible thanks to the guaranteed support of the City of Ghent and the Province of East Flanders.

Ghent is a city of churches, and their towers define the city’s skyline. All of these churches bear witness to an exceptionally rich history and magnificent heritage.

The not-for-profit association Monumentale Kerken Gent (Monumental Churches of Ghent) has been pooling resources since it was founded, with the aim of making the heritage of the churches in the centre of Ghent more accessible to a wider public. These churches are St Bavo’s Cathedral, St Nicholas’ Church, St Michael’s Church, St James’ Church and Our Lady of St Peter’s Church, all located within walking distance of each other in the historic city centre.

Each church is undoubtedly worth a visit in its own right, both for its rich heritage and for its architecture and history. Together they provide an exceptional perspective on culture in Flanders, allowing visitors to see the constant changes in architectural history, décor and religious ideas over time. These monumental churches are not only invaluable for the City of Ghent and the Province of East Flanders: they are also of undeniable Flemish and international appeal. 

They each represent a magnificent gem of architectural and religious history, and house world-class art including the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb by the Van Eyck brothers and works by Peter Paul Rubens, Michiel Coxcie and Antoon Van Dyck. Several of these works are recognised Flemish Masterpieces and/or are part of the ‘Flemish Masters in Situ’ network.

The foundation of the not-for-profit association Monumentale Kerken Gent on 25 October 2011 to open up this cultural heritage was a logical step towards ensuring more efficient cooperation between the churches themselves and with the city council and provincial government.

The founding members were the representatives of these five monumental churches in Ghent and a number of external members who contribute their expertise to the fulfilment of the association’s purpose.

Four new members were brought into the network at the Annual General Meeting on 6 December 2023. These are the Holy Christmas/St Salvator’s Church with the Ukrainian and Greek Catholic community in Ghent, the Church of the Presentation of Our Lady (in the Beguinage of Our Lady Ter Hoyen), St Martin’s Church (Ekkergem) and the Church of the Birth of Our Lady  in Mariakerke (in the centre of the village, including the Neo-Gothic episcopal gallery in the walled cemetery).

The religious heritage spanning more than eleven centuries of church history is also an important part of the City of Ghent’s marketing and tourism. The recent addition of these churches opens up a richer, more diverse and more geographically spread picture of that heritage, revealing more about the church and its position in our city.

Goal

The aim of the association is to promote cooperation between all of Ghent’s monumental churches, beginning with the five city-centre churches, i.e. St Bavo’s Cathedral, St James’ Church, St Michael’s Church, St Nicholas’ Church and Our Lady of St Peter’s Church, to make their cultural heritage accessible, in an organised and public-friendly way.

The following are some of the goals it has set to achieve this:

1. to stimulate mutual cooperation and cooperation with public authorities to improve access to the religious heritage of the city of Ghent;
   2. to contribute to raising cultural awareness among its members and everyone who feels a special connection with the cultural life of Ghent and with the monumental churches, by engaging in mutual communication;
   3. to organise and support initiatives that promote culture in the monumental churches of Ghent, with respect for the specific nature of the church buildings as places of worship and prayer and everything associated or connected with this;
   4. to guide public support in seeking conscientious and regular use of these church buildings;
   5. to contribute in a general sense to the further promotion of the cultural heritage of Flanders and Ghent, and in particular to the promotion of Ghent’s monumental churches in Belgium and abroad;
   6. to effectively promote and support the restoration, maintenance and image of Ghent’s monumental churches.

Members

• Tom Anthonis
• Jacques Berkvens
• Erik Bonte
• Floribert Brondeel
• Lodewijk Collin
• Jan Coppens
• Jozef Dauwe
• Jozef De Baets
• Tonny De Bouvrie
• Jacques De Decker
• Jürgen François
• Aurélien Léchère
• Jeanne Leniere
• Christiaan Van Bignoot
• Tony Van Parys
• Jan Vermassen
• An Vervliet