Our Lady College, Antwerp

Private primary and secondary school in Antwerp, Belgium

51°12′49″N 4°24′45″E / 51.213504°N 4.412539°E / 51.213504; 4.412539InformationTypePrivate primary and secondary schoolReligious affiliation(s)CatholicismDenominationJesuitsEstablished1575; 449 years ago (1575)StatusOpenClosed1576-1585; 1773-1840Websiteolvc.telenet.be^[1]

Our Lady College (Dutch: Onze-Lieve-Vrouwecollege) is a private Catholic primary and secondary school in Antwerp, Belgium. The school was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1575 and the school building was designed by Jules Bilmeyer, completed in 1875.^[2]

History

In 1575, the Jesuits opened their first school in the city in a building that became part of the Lessius Hogeschool. After war with Spain in 1576, the Jesuits had to leave the city, but returned in 1585 and reopened the school.

In 1607 and again in 1655, the school had to move to larger premises to keep up with the expanding population.

In 1773, Pope Clement IV ordered for all Jesuit educational services to cease. The Jesuits did not return to Antwerp until 1840, when they reopened the college. It was situated in what is now a restaurant for students of the University of Antwerp.

In 1871, the capacity of the school again needed to be increased so land was bought in a series of streets in the centre of Antwerp called 'the Avenues'. There, they got the architect Jules Bilmeyer to design the new school. It was completed in 1875. Twelve years later, he also completed the building of the church next door to the school, Our Lady of Grace Church (Dutch: Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Gratie Kerk).^[3]

Notable alumni

Tom Barman
Luc Bertrand
Christian de Duve
Gabriel Fehervari
Jef Geeraerts
Count Albert Le Grelle
Mgr Stanislas Le Grelle
Count Bernard Le Grelle
Jan Leyers
Daniel Cardon de Lichtbuer

Gallery

Class of 1874/75 photographed by Claude Bretagne & Jules David

References

^ Ignatian. Accessed 6 June 2016.
^ "School Information". Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
^ "Structure Database". Retrieved 20 February 2014.

External links

Our Lady College site

Society of Jesus in Belgium

Secondary schools

Higher education

Spirituality

Churches

See also

Catholicism portal
Belgium portal

v t e Catholic Church in Belgium
Episcopal Conference of Belgium
Dioceses	Archdiocese of Mechelen–Brussels Diocese of Antwerp Diocese of Bruges Diocese of Ghent Diocese of Hasselt Diocese of Liège Diocese of Namur Diocese of Tournai
Others	Military Ordinariate of Belgium Titular sees: Tongeren Ypres Former sees: Ancient Diocese of Thérouanne Diocese of Eupen-Malmedy Ordinariate for foreign students in Belgium
Churches	List of Catholic churches in Belgium Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp St. Salvator's Cathedral, Bruges Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, Brussels St Bavo's Cathedral, Ghent St. Quentin Cathedral, Hasselt Liège Cathedral St. Rumbold's Cathedral, Mechelen St Aubin's Cathedral, Namur Tournai Cathedral
Education	List of Catholic schools in Belgium Katholieke Universiteit Leuven Université catholique de Louvain Université de Namur
Monasteries	Affligem Abbey Averbode Abbey Bethlehem Abbey, Bonheiden Bois-Seigneur-Isaac Abbey Bornem Abbey Brecht Abbey Chevetogne Abbey Chimay Abbey Dendermonde Abbey Drongen Abbey Ermeton Abbey Grimbergen Abbey Keizersberg Abbey Klaarland Priory Maredret Abbey Maredsous Abbey Monasterium Magnificat Orval Abbey Park Abbey Postel Abbey Rochefort Abbey Roosenberg Abbey St. Andrew's Abbey, Bruges St. Sixtus' Abbey St. Trudo's Abbey, Bruges Scourmont Abbey Soleilmont Abbey Ten Putte Abbey Tongerlo Abbey Val-Dieu Abbey Westmalle Abbey
See also	List of saints of Belgium List of Catholic seminaries in Belgium Apostolic Nunciature to Belgium Kerknet Chiro Flanders CICM Missionaries La Pairelle Our Lady of Beauraing Our Lady of Banneux
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