LOSSON, Anton
(active 1670s in Mechelen)

Interior view

1670-80
Photo
Sint-Pieters-en-Pauluskerk, Mechelen

The former Jesuit church in Mechelen, originally dedicated to St Francis Xavier (now St Peter and St Paul), was started in 1670 to the plans of the architect Anton Losson, a member of the order. The most remarkable feature here is the articulation of the façade. In place of the traditional triple division the choice was for a colossal order running right up to the cornice. This in its turn is broken to accommodate a great central window. In this way the various sections of the façade seem to merge dynamically with each other into a great organic whole.

The plan of the church was conceived as a hall church. In the interior high composite columns divide the space into three naves. The confessionals along the side walls, connected to each other, were carved by Nicolaas van der Veken.