The organ of the church of Notre-Dame de la Visitation

 

Built in brick and stone by the architect Jaumotte in the second half of the 18th century, the church of Notre-Dame de la Visitation is made up of three naves with five bays leading to a chevet with canted walls. A square tower built in Gobertange stone, edged with rounded annexes in the same stone, dominates the building with its slender polygonal spire. An initial restoration programme was begun in 1839. A walled cemetery adjoins the church, not far from the Cense du Seigneur or Cense Risbais which harks back to the existence of an early seigniorial complex. The church features an abundance of fittings from the 18th century (pulpit, altars, confessionals, baptismal fonts).

The listed organ, dating from 1724, is the work of Louis I Delhaye. It occupies the organ platform, opposite the chancel. Installed initially in the parish church at Rupelmonde, the organ was sold to the church of Notre-Dame de Saint-Nicolas Waes in 1839 to be brought and set up in Mélin. The organ case, which is the work of a certain Master Alexandre, previously housed an organ built in 1626 by Philips Snoeck. The 'new' instrument by Louis I Delhaye was installed in this old case, whereas the organ's original case is still at the church in Rupelmonde. As it appears today, after major works carried out in 1852, the instrument consists of a central turret frames by face plates and two small turrets to each side. The organ does not appear to have undergone any other modification.

Listed on 29/08/1990 (organ)