Biography

Willem Hesius (Willem van Hees), a Jesuit priest, was a Flemish architect. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1617. After completing his religious training, he began his career as a teacher, but he was especially noted as a distinguished Latin speaker and preacher. For twenty years he directed the Latin sodality of Brussels and obtained the post for preacher assigned to the court of Archduke Leopold.

He is known today as an architect. He built part of the buildings of the college of Ghent and some beautiful Baroque Jesuit churches including that of Leuven (1650-71). The high altar of St Rumbold's Cathedral at Mechelen is also his work.