At the entrance to the porch

The façade with its large entrance porch dates from the early 16th century. The architect was Louis Van Bodeghem, as the similarity with the church of Brou in Bourg en Bresse, built by Margaret of Austria, is striking. Louis Van Bodeghem was architect of the city of Brussels. The bombing of Brussels by the Marquis de Villeroy in 1695 caused a fire in the Grand'Place and the Maison du Roi, where the archives of the oaths of the crossbowmen who built the church between 1400 and 1540 were kept. Therefore, there is no longer any evidence.

The exterior statuary was installed during the First World War and even later, as the niches had remained empty. Above the portal, surrounding the Virgin Mary seated with the Baby Jesus on her lap, are Saint Michael and Saint Sebastian, Saint George and Saint Christopher, patrons of the four guilds: swordsmen, archers, crossbowmen and arquebusiers.

On either side of the entrance are numerous female figures representing the Christian virtues.

On the left of the façade is Mary of Hungary, sister of Charles V, who was baptised in this church, with John II, Duke of Brabant, below her. On the right at the top is Margaret of Austria, aunt of Emperor Charles V, and below her is Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy.