Saint Mary's Royal Church Brussels

Neo-Gothic Royal Church in Schaerbeek dedicated to Belgium's first queen, with a landmark tower visible across the district.

Saint Mary's Royal Church stands on Place de la Reine in Schaerbeek, a municipality of Brussels, and is associated with Louise-Marie, the first Queen of the Belgians. The title Royal comes from this connection – both the square and the church were named in her honour. The building is Neo-Gothic and dates to the 19th century; its prominent tower is visible from much of Schaerbeek. Today Schaerbeek is one of Brussels' most ethnically diverse municipalities, which gives the church an interesting historical tension: a royal memorial church at the centre of one of Belgium's most changed urban communities.