Church of Heilige Kruisverheffing in Wenduine (De Haan) - Discover this open and welcoming religious building

Church | XVII | Neogothic | Catholic Church

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Opening hours

01 July - 31 August
Mon 9.00 - 18.00
Tue 9.00 - 18.00
Wed 9.00 - 18.00
Thu 9.00 - 18.00
Fri 9.00 - 18.00
Sat 9.00 - 18.00
Sun 9.00 - 18.00

01 September - 30 June
Mon 9.00 - 17.00
Tue 9.00 - 17.00
Wed 9.00 - 17.00
Thu 9.00 - 17.00
Fri 9.00 - 17.00
Sat 9.00 - 17.00
Sun 9.00 - 17.00

Religious offices

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Description

The church of the Exaltation of the Cross was originally a gothic church, typical for Flemish coastal churches, enlarged with a neo-gothic nave. It was classified as a protected monument in several stages, in 1937, 1983 and 2003.

The devotion to the Holy Cross dates back to the 16th century when, according to legend, a cross was hauled from the sea near the shore of Wenduine. From the 17th century on, a brotherhood of the Holy Cross was established. Each year, on the monday of Pentacost the story of the legend is re-enacted in a mass spectacle, followed by the blessing of the sea, a 200-year old tradition.

Between 1183 and 1187, the modest chapel in Wenduine was upgraded to a fully independent parish church. Parts of this church were preserved in the south chancel and in the foundation stones of the tower. Around 1290, aisles and side chancels were added, resulting in the octagonal tower being placed in the middle of the church (crossing tower) instead of at the end. Since then the tower serves as a sea beacon manned by a tower watchman.

During the iconoclasm in 1566, the church was partly demolished and used as stable for horses by the army. In the 17th century the church was restored. The dilapidated parts were demolished in 1719 but, as the parish grew, new investments followed. In 1900, Wenduine was a lively seaside resort and in summer the church was too small for all the holiday makers and an extension became necessary. During a preliminary examination of the church, two 13th century flagstone floors were discovered and some 17th century graves.

Architect Alphonse Depauw designed a new lower church in 1906. Restoration of the tower with a new spire followed. This resulted in a Hall church with a nave and 2 aisles topped by an octagonal crossing tower.

The interior, beneath a wooden ribbed vault, contains an oak pulpit in rococo style dating from the mid-18th century, a striking portal and a stone tabernacle with copper doors, possibly dating from the 16th century. Admire the Miracle Cross from the 17th century, recoated in 1992. The stainglass windows in the chancel date from 1908, 1911 and 1922 respectively. The 13th-century tiles, discovered at the time of the extension, were incorporated in the floor. The font in the lower church is made from polished bluestone and carries a copper lid.

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Remarkable elements

Wall tabernacle

Mounted in the wall left of the main altar is a remarkable copper tabernacle. It dates from 1501-1510 and is surrounded by a richly decorated arch in white stone. The iconography between the arch and the stone canopy shows a pelican puncturing his heart to feed its young, a symbol of the sacrificial love of Christ. In 1906 the tabernacle was thoroughly restored.

Stained glass window in the chancel

Above the altar is a magnificent stained glass window depicting the tree of Jesse with the ancestors of the Holy Mary. Jesse is resting or sleeping. From his breast sprouts a root, branching into a big tree. In the branches sit the Kings of Judah with King David as central character. In the top of the tree we see the Holy Mary and her child Jesus. The window dates from 1922, maker is unknown. The other stained glass windows (1908 and 1911) were made in the workplace of G. Ladon (Ghent).

Floor tiles in the baptistery

The tiles in the baptistery at the back of the church are the original tiles from the 13th century and were discovered at the beginning of the 20th century during extention works. They are glazed terracotta square and triangular tiles, fragile and centuries old and now protected by a fence In 1900 Leon Maes designed a similar terracotta floor for the chancel.

Rococo pulpit

The 18th century oak pulpit by Jaak Lauwereys is decorated with rococo motives. A base was added to support the original hanging pulpit cockpit. The globe with the Lamb of God, before underneath the pulpit, is now placed on the sounding board above. The Lamb of God is a symbol of Christ spreading christianity over the world.

Miracle Cross

According to legend, fishermen from Blankenberge hauled a big cross from het sea in the 17th century. They erected the cross on the sandy beach, but it disappeared overnight. Some time later they recovered the cross again from het same fishing grounds. The fishermen understood that there was the spot of the original church of Wenduine, long before swallowed by the sea. Thousands of people formed a procession and carried the cross to the new church in Wenduine. On Whit Monday the legend of the Miracle Cross is enacted in a performance mixture of folklore, dance, music and poetry. It ends with a blessing of the sea from replica’s of old fishing boats, whereafter the Cross is carried back to the church. The wood of the cross was replaced in 1780. The cross and the sculpture were repainted several times over the centuries.

Statue of the Holy Mary

In the left side chapel stands a polychrome statue of the Holy Mary. The woodcarving, the body, head and arms as well as the oak pedestal date from the 17th century.