Sainte Marie was built to close the perspective of the Royal Avenue, the street linking the King's residence to his uptown palace. It is the only example of Byzantine architecture in Brussels. It used to host a Roman Catholic parish but now stands in an overwhelmingly Muslim quarter of town. It has long been neglected and parts of the inside have been damaged by moisture and a fire. But reconstruction proceeds whenever money avails. Funds are gathered by organizing concerts and other cultural activities in the church. The crypt hosts an ecumenical centre.