Saint Aldegund
Dorpsstraat
9831 Deurle (Sint-Martens-Latem)
Church | 1831 | Neoromanesque | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
16 March - 15 October
Mon 10.00 - 18.00
Tue 10.00 - 18.00
Wed 10.00 - 18.00
Thu 10.00 - 18.00
Fri 10.00 - 18.00
Sat 10.00 - 18.00
Sun 10.00 - 18.00
16 October - 15 March
Mon 10.00 - 17.00
Tue 10.00 - 17.00
Wed 10.00 - 17.00
Thu 10.00 - 17.00
Fri 10.00 - 17.00
Sat 10.00 - 17.00
Sun 10.00 - 17.00
Religious offices
Description
This village of artists at the banks of the river Lys has a beautiful, Neo-Roman church dedicated to Saint Aldegund. The brick construction dates back to 1830, after the original Roman church was demolished. In contrast with the Neo-Roman outside, the interior of the church is Neo-Classical. Most church treasures and the furniture date back to the 19th century.
The pulpit (1835) shows the symbols of the four evangelists and representations of Saint Aldegund, Saint Peter and the Holy Saviour. The platform is carried by the Tree of life.
A few paintings date back to the 17th century and are ascribed to the Flemish School: The Lamentation (by Antoon Van Dyck), the Adoration of Shepherds, the Circumcision of Christ and Our Lady Immaculata.
The right side altar is dedicated to Saint Aldegund. On the antepedium or parament below the altar we can see how Aldegund is healing the sick. The polychrome oak statue on the altar (1635) represents the saint as Mother Superior with book, staff and rosary because she was the founder of the monastery of Maubeuge.
Old tombstones from the 18th and 19th century can be found in the choir as well as in the side isles. Several artists are buried around the church, including Gustave De Smet (painter and next to Constant Permeke one of the most famous names of Flemish Expressionism) and his brother Leon De Smet. Gaston Martens also found his final resting place here. He was playwright and author of the play ‘De Paradijsvogels’, which was later used by the national television channel Eén as inspiration for a fiction show of the same name.
The church can also be used as concert hall. The restored organ was first used in 1992.
Every sunday a film about the history of the church is played "Dorla, in the shade of Saint Aldegund".
Short version of the film.
Hiking nearby :
* Walking route Sint-Martens-Latem and Deurle
* Walking route Sint-Martens- Latem : of painters, poets and authors (9km)
* Signposted walk Gust De Smet (6,5 km). Alongside the route stand informative boards with information on the sites, artists and their oeuvre.
Photos
Remarkable elements
Our Lady under the bell glass
This statue, in former times carried in the procession, was professionally restored in 1986. The cream-coloured robe in moiré silk is adorned with a large pattern in rich gold brocade. The cloak in marine-blue velvet is draped over the statue and also decorated with gold brocade patterns. Over the cloak hangs a precious, embroidered tulle. The Child Jesus has a silver crown and a silver orb in his right hand. The Holy Mary has a silver crown and a silver sceptre in her right hand. This statue stands under a garland of silver flowers and leaves.
Painting: “Adoration of the Shepherds”
Made by an artist from the Flemish School, this painting dates from the second half of the 17th century.
Pulpit
Dates from 1835 and has an oak body with sculpted cartouches depicting Christ the Savious and Saint Aldegondis. In the elevated back of the pulpit we see King David and his harp, in the door is a wood carving of Saint Peter. At the 4 corners are the symbols of the evangelists: Matthew (a man), Marc (a lion), Luke (an ox), John (an eagle). The whole structure is supported by the Tree of Life. The overhang is hemmed and decorated with a dove as symbol of the Holy Ghost, surrounded by rays. Also admire the beautifully sculpted stair bannister and door.
Stained glass window of Saint Christopher
This window was designed by Ingrid Meyvaert and executed in 2002 by the Mestdagh workshop in Ghent. Saint Christopher is the patron saint of travelers and is considered to be the second patron saint of the parish of Deurle. Since 1927 an automobile blessing ceremony takes place on the last Sunday in June, organised by the guild of Saint Christopher.
South side altar
This altar is dedicated to Saint Aldegondis of Maubeuge. The 18th century antipendium under the altar depicts the patron saint caring for the sick. In the recess is a beautiful polychrome oak sculpture of the abbess with a book, a sceptre and a rosary.
Organ
The organ was built in 1956 by the company Loncke and rests on a narrow base which is a small organ from1835 with one keyboard.
Saint Aldegonde / Choir ladies - 2021 campaign
Saint Aldegonde is the founder of the monastery of Maubeuge (France).
