Pre-1840
13th Century: Leuven’s population grew significantly. The only parish in the city, the Saint-Peter’s parish, was divided into five parishes: Saint-Peter, Saint-Geertrui, Saint-Jacob, Saint-Kwinten, and Saint-Michael. The Saint-Michael parish probably included the Saint-Joseph’s parish. The territory of this parish included a lot of unbuilt fields at the city’s borders.
1840
Talks about enlarging the then-existing church and pilgrimage place of the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-ter-Koorts church or to build a new church in the center of the parish to add to the beautification of the city. The new parish was created because of the growing number of worshippers during the first half of the 19th Century.
1849
The “kerkfabriek” (national overarching institution of the church) asks the community of Leuven to entrust the city architect with the design of the church.
A new city architect succeeds the last one, namely Edouard Philippe Lavergne.
1850
The city of Leuven appoints their city architect with the design of the church. In 1850 it is also decided that a new, bigger parish church was to be build.
1854
The plan by architect Edouard Lavergne to build a neogothic church in the Ravenstraat are approved.
1860
The foundation of the church is laid.
1864
The church was built in the neo-Gothic style between 1860 and 1871. The choice of style was not simply a matter of taste or fashion; it was motivated by a well-considered religio-political agenda. In the 19th century, the Catholic Church launched an offensive against increasing secularisation. Supposedly, the impressive neogothic style was meant to stop the growing secularisation as less people went to church. Gothic forms were ideal propaganda tools in this endeavour. Leuven took advantage of this revival and became the home of several leading sculpture workshops that specialised in neo-Gothic furniture and sculpture groups.
1871
The construction is finished and the new church is put into use. The interior and furniture was still a work in progress, but with the help of some paintings by famous painters (Constantin Meunier, Godefroid Guffens) the church was more and more finished.
1890
The parish continues to grow. According to city archiver Edward Van Even, the parish had 19.000 inhabitants in 1890. With its 116 hectares it was the most wide parish of the city.
1891
Plans for a tower on the front face are made. Due to financial means, the plans have to be cancelled. Some say the reason why the tower was never built, is because the church was built on quicksand.
1914
In August 1914 a huge fire on the Ladeuzeplein (then: Volksplaats) destroys many houses and streets. The parish was severely affected.
1922-1923
A new parish is founded: the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Middelares (Our Lady Middelares). This new parish received part of the Saint Joseph’s parish’ territory.
1940-1946
World War II also affected the parish. Even though less severe than World War I, many houses, streets, as well as the church suffered from the bombings.
Many people moved to the suburbs of Leuven, which created a gradual decrease of religious people in the parish as well as priests. The departure of parishioners is still going on.
Early 1960s
The church began showing signs of decay. ‘Stone from Gobertange’ was mainly used in the building and suffered from weathering. When they realised stones were falling off the building, a wooden fence was installed around the building to prevent accidents.
1966
Stones are falling from the ceiling. The “kerkfabriek” quickly decides to put the church out of use to prevent accidents. The church is closed altogether, with no prospects to restore it, also due to financial means. The parish went to a nearby chapel and big masses were held in other monasteries or churches.
Meanwhile, the kerkfabriek was looking for solutions for the closed church. There were no financial means to fully restore the church. At that time, KU Leuven was looking for a suitable location to put a building for the arts and philosophy faculty. That’s why a Royal Decree stated that the territory and buildings between the Bogaardenstraat, Maria-Theresiastraat, Blijde Inkomstraat and Ravenstraat were expropriated for public benefit.
1967
A Royal Decree states that the KU Leuven receives the authority to buy the church and parsonage.
1971
A Royal Decree states that the grounds of the church can be sold privately. The dilapidated state of the Saint-Joseph’s church and the few financial means of the kerkfabriek to restore the church, led to the necessity to sell the church. The church was assigned to the university, for a total of 22.500.000 franks and 3 million in advantages. Demolition works will start in 1971. Artworks are given to the museum.
1974
The first stone of the new Saint Joseph’s church in the Bogaardenstraat is laid. The church was also finished that year. The new church has the organ of the old church. The few artefacts from the interior are in the new church and mainly in the Museum M collection.
