Chapel of the Resurrection, Brussels
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The Chapel of the Resurrection is an ecumenical Christian chapel in Brussels, Belgium. It is located in Rue Van Maerlant, close to the European Parliament, the European Commission headquarters and the offices of the EU's Committee of the Regions and Economic and Social Committee.
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[edit] History (pre 2001)
The Chapel was built in 1907 as part of a convent. In 1989 the nuns decided to sell the buildings, the largest part of which was adapted to become offices for the European Union. The disused Chapel was, however, extensively rebuilt in 1999-2000 (including horizonal partitioning through the insertion of new flooring.) An AISBL (Belgian international non-profit making association) was created to oversee the project, which cost €1.6m.
Many organisations and individuals were involved in the project. These included the Belgian Jesuit Order, the European Catholic Foyer, La Viale-Opstal Community, the Catholic Episcopal Conferences of Europe (COMECE), several Protestant Churches, the Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), the King Baudouin Foundation, the Belgian national lottery, corporations including SUEZ, Ciments d'Obourg and others.
The Chapel was reopened and officially inaugurated on 25th September 2001 during an ecumenical service of worship.
[edit] Current functions
The Chapel of the Resurrection is ecumenical, with Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant Christian members of its administrative, pastoral and consultative committees. Catholic Mass takes place daily. A Protestant service takes place at Thursday lunchtimes. On the first and third Sundays of each month a Finnish Lutheran communion service is held. Because of its proximity to many of the European Union's offices in Brussels, the Chapel is well used by EU civil servants and has been used for weddings, baptisms, funerals and memorial services.
The Chapel has a pipe organ and is also regularly used for concerts.
[edit] See also
- Chapel of the Resurrection, Indiana, USA
- Finnish Seamen's Mission
