Saint Martin
Place Saint-Martin
1320 Tourinnes-la-Grosse (Beauvechain)
Church | X-XVIII | Romanesque | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 January - 31 December
Mon 9.00 - 19.00
Tue 9.00 - 19.00
Wed 9.00 - 19.00
Thu 9.00 - 19.00
Fri 9.00 - 19.00
Sat 9.00 - 19.00
Sun 9.00 - 19.00
November : Saint Martin's feast day
www.tourinnes.be
Religious offices
Monday-Wednesday-Thursday : 7 pm
Tuesday : 9 am
Sunday : 10.15 am
Description
One climbs a little cobbled street and on the knoll one finds one of the most noteworthy Romanesque churches in the country. It is an assured hit for lovers of the simplicity and the moderation of early Romanesque style. Our attention is drawn first to the large and bulky square tower with thick walls which clearly justifies the description added to the name of the village. The church is one of the oldest in the country and dates from the Xth century.
The restoration started in the 1950’s has successfully given the church back its early appearance: square columns, a very wide, low nave, small upper windows, wooden ceiling and white-washed walls.
Every November for the last 40 years, the church has also been the centre of a drama and music festival in which all the local inhabitants take part. This "Saint Martin's feast day" was started by the ceramist Max van der Linden, some of whose beautiful works can be found inside.
It is an enchanting place: an ancient graveyard surrounding the building, a large rectory, an outstanding view.
Photos
Media
Remarkable elements
Statue of Charity of Saint Martin
Gorgeous oak statue of the church's patronsaint, sculpted during the second quarter of the 16thCentury by a local «picture carpenter», probably from Leuven. «A winter day, going through Amiens' door, he met a naked man who did not receive alms from anyone. Martin understood that this poor was reserved for him: he took his sword, splitted in two the cloak he had on him, and gave half of it to the poor.»For security reasons, the exposed statue is not genuine, the original being kept in a safe location.
Saint Martin's Life - Ceramic
Ceramic made by Max van der Linden happily adjoins Saint Martin's statue. Six small panels represent:(1) Year 316, Martin's birth in Hungary where his dad was a commander in the roman legion.
(2) Teenager, Martin wants to take Holy Orders, but he's forced to become a soldier.
(3) The scene where he shares his cloak before Amiens' door, as mentioned above. But, with Jesus' picture who appears, musing: «What you've done to the smallest of my people, it is to me that you're doing it.»
(4) The foundation of the Ligugé's monastery (in Tours).
(5) The ambush of Tours' inhabitants who chose him as a bishop. (6) His death in 397.
The Three Kings - Ceramic
The Three Kings- Ceramic made by Max van der Linden. Every year in November since 1975, Tourinnes' Friends act a collective show in this church. In 1995, it was «The Future swaps cradle» which was a text written by Julos Beaucarne, or «The Story of the Three Kings». Max, inspired by this theme, represents our astrological kings, guided by the Star, leaving Babylon, Rome and Tombuctu. They cross the Nile in a felucca, come across Alexandria Lighthouse, are being shown the right way by an angel and then arrive in Bethleem to honor Jesus and Mary, while Joseph bakes pancakes in the kitchen... Inside the church, one can discover 16 other ceramics also made by Max van der Linden.
Wrought iron altar rail
Made in Liège in the middle or second half of the 18thcentury. It is the result of a combination of two opposite artistic tendencies: the Rococo style, demonstrated by the fence's big panels' tormented lines as well as its metal gate's enameled outline, while the classical style is demonstrated by the symmetry and stability of both the central door and the pilaster. This mix of two opposite artistic tendencies is typically found in wrought iron grids built in Liège at this time. This superb altar rail is a very important historical symbol which reminds us that Tourinnes used to be part of the «Country of Liège», and that its church acts an important role in Saint Paul's chapter in Liège.
Pulpit
Simple polygonal pediculated baptismal tank, this console represents a local interpretation of the famous Brabant Baroque style in the middle of the 17thcentury. Helped by the archives, we were able to trace its author's name as well as its date of creation: Jean-Baptiste DELSARTE, a carpenter from Wavre who built it in 1682. It is interesting to note the spelling of SAINT MARTYN. This pulpit had at its corners four angular statues which represented evangelists who were put there during the 19thcentury. Unfortunately, vandals snatched them in May 2007, and even forgot a small angelin the process !
