The pulpit is the place where, every Sunday, the preacher uses the Bible readings to explain the Christian faith and to apply it our lives today.*

The modern sculpture above the pulpit, ‘Christ in Majesty’ by Peter Ball is carved from oak and covered in copper, brass & gold leaf. It reminds us that the responsibility of preachers is not to expound their own ideas but to point us to Christ.*

What we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord’.

2 Corinthians 4:5

*From church signboard

The monumental pulpit, sculpted in 1721-1723 by Michiel Vervoort (1667-17-37) from Antwerp.  It was first placed in the conventional church of the Nobertine nuns of Leliendael (Bruul, actual Jesuit church), there it stood at full width against a plain wall. After the French revelution it was transferred to the cathedral in 1809 and Jan Frans van Geel (1756-1830) reconstructed it around a pillar.

Above to the right the Fall of man, and to the left, the salvation are represented.  At the bottom saint Norbert (1080-1134) is flung off his horse and repents himself (1100). The grand construction in solid oak-wood is particularity well known by the representation of the Earthy Paradise with its different animals: pelican, salamander, squirrel, snakes, snail and frog.  The most beautiful small angel next to the stairs is a fine idea of the artist.*

From Sint-Romboutskathedraal MECHELEN (English Edition)*

The striking Jeruzalemkerk was built between 1428 and 1465 and is a curious combination of Byzantine and Gothic styles. It was built by the Adornes family, originally merchants from Genoa, who had travelled on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and were so impressed by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre that they built a copy of it in Bruges. There is even a copy of Christ’s memorial tomb in the crypt. Spared pillage or destruction throughout the centuries thanks to its private chapel status – the church is still owned by the family’s descendants – it is remarkably well preserved.

The alter is carved in a rather macabre fashion, with skulls and bones, and the cave-like atmosphere of the church is emphasised by the space behind the altar and above the crypt, which rises almost to the full height of the tower to create a rather eerie cavern.

Atop the tower outside sit the Jerusalem cross, and the wheel and palm leaf of St Catherine, to commemorate the journey of Anselm and his son to Jerusalem and Mt Sinai in 1470. *

More information on the church can be found here.

*Information from Insight Guides – Bruges Smart Guide.