Oignies Abbey

In 1192, St Nicolas of Oignies was officially recognized as a priory by the order of the Canons of St. Augustine.

Marie of Oignies left her husband and arrived here in the first decade of the thirteenth century where she ran a community of Beguines.

In 1559, during the ecclesiastical reorganization of southern Netherlands, St Nicolas priory church became a part of the newly established Roman Catholic Diocese of Namur.

John Francis Pierlot, also known by his religious name Brother Gregory, was a native of Soignies and the 42nd and last prior of the abbey.

In 1794, during the revolution, he left the Treasure of Hugo d'Oignies with a farmer and his wife in Falisolle, to prevent its confiscation by the state.

Situated on 3 hectares in a park-like setting, the building is now privately owned and can be rented for events such as seminars, conventions, and weddings.