Church of Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Bezoeking in De Klijte (Heuvelland) - Discover this open and welcoming religious building

Church | | Neogothic | Catholic Church

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Map

Opening hours

01 January - 31 December
Mon 8.30 - 16.30
Tue 8.30 - 16.30
Wed 8.30 - 16.30
Thu 8.30 - 16.30
Fri 8.30 - 16.30
Sat 8.30 - 16.30
Sun 8.30 - 16.30

Religious offices

Kerknet

Description

The Neo-Gothic church of Our Lady was built in 1923 and has three naves and a 25metre high tower.

It contains works of art that come from the 15th century Chapel of Our Lady, which was completely burnt down in 1918.

Inside is a 17th century statue of the Virgin and Child, an 18th century painting on leather of Saint Blaise and several memorial plaques for French soldiers who died in combat around De Klijte.

The coat of arms in the façade belongs to the Bulteel family.

The chapel of Our Lady with two lime trees has become over the years the parish church honouring Saint Blaise.

Note also the painted ceiling.

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Photos

Remarkable elements

Quisthoudt paintings

Josef Quisthoudt (1883-1953), a painter from Ypres, painted the 14 Stations of the Cross in 1928-1929. In 1928 he also painted the two altar panels, depicting the Last Supper and the Multiplication of the Loaves.

Wooden statue of the Holy Mary

In a recess on the left side of a former side altar stands a wooden statue of the Holy Mary. It dates from 1788 as mentioned in the inscription “In this chapel Mary is your true refuge”. Before the total destruction of the church in 1918 the statue stood in a recess on the outside wall of the church. It was nicely restored and brought inside in 1950.

Ceiling

The wooden barrel vault is covered in stylized floral and liturgical scenes. It was freshened up in 2002-2003, repainted and covered in 2 coats of varnish. In the transept are the paintings of eight angels.

Saint Blasius

Saint Blasius is beseeched to protect against throat, breast and children’s diseases. His bust stands in the right recess of the priest’s chancel. In 1957 a new altar in white stone was put in place. Nearby hangs a painting, on the front and back side showing a scene from the life of a saint.

Wood carving

The vertical panels of the present altar, the railing of the former left side altar and the vertical panel of the table in front of the liturgical vessels are assembled from parts of the former communion rails. These baroque oak panels carry ornamental wood carvings.

Memorial plaque

“Militaires français tués à la Clytte”. On the white marble memorial plaque are the names carved of French soldiers who died in or near De Klijte in WWI. On the top are the names of 41 soldiers killed in 1914. They were first buried here and later unearthed. At the bottom are the names of 22 soldiers who died in 1918.

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