Sint-Martinus
Kerkplein
1730 Asse
Church | XIII-XIV | Gothic | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 January - 31 December
Mon 9.00 - 16.00
Tue 9.00 - 16.00
Wed 9.00 - 16.00
Thu 9.00 - 16.00
Fri 9.00 - 16.00
Sat 9.00 - 16.00
Sun 9.00 - 16.00
Religious offices
Description
The oldest parts of this church are Romanesque and date from the 12th century. It was completed in the 13th century by a transept and tower and in the 15th century by the choir. Other modifications followed in the 17th century. The chapel of the Sainted Cross was added in 1719 and shelters two miraculous crosses. In 1865 the church was enlarged on its western side.
The ensemble is an imposing edifice in local sandstone. The treasure, the tombstones, the paintings and the stained glass windows are all beautiful. Saint Martin is depicted in a retable, amongst several other sculptures, on the main Neo-Gothic altar.
A second altar is adorned with a group of statues including “the coronation of Mary”. The wood panelling, the pulpit and various furnishings date from the 18th century.
Photos
Remarkable elements
Paneling of the Cross Chapel
The cross chapel was decorated with wooden panels representing the legend of the Holy Crosses of Asse.From left to right : A poor old woman goes to borrow money from rich Jews. The scene represents the meeting between the old woman and the rich Jews. The Jews set the condition that the woman should bring a host so that they could desecrate it. The woman obeys the Jews and goes to Communion. She hides the host in a dead tree. The miraculous tree, which has started blossoming despite the current season, attracts large crowds who come to see the tree and worship it. A peasant cuts the miraculous tree, causing bloody wooden chips to fall crosswise. The miraculous cross was crafted from this tree. The apparition of the second Holy Cross in the walnut tree. Pilgrims ask the peasant the way to the Holy Cross. The peasant claims this cross had no meaning, upon which another cross appears in his walnut tree. The inauguration of the second Holy Cross. After the ecclesiastic authorities were convinced of the authenticity of the second miracle, they took this second Holy Cross to the Sint-Martinus church in Asse.
This Holy Cross is still on the right side in the Holy Cross Chapel.
Triptych the martyrdom of Saint Sebastian
The triptych was painted in oil on canvas and is dated to the 17th century. It is attributed to Hendrik De Clerck.Mid panel: the martyrdom of Sebastian. When it is made public that Sebastian is an adherent of the Christian religion, Sebastian is brought before the emperor, who orders his torture and assassination by a group of archers.
Left interior panel: Saint Sebastian reproaches the emperor for his injustice.
Right interior panel: Saint Sebastian is flogged by order of the emperor.
Front of left panel: This panel depicts Saint Sebastian before the emperor, showing him the arrows of his failed execution.
Back of left panel: A group of horsemen is led by Sebastian.
Back of right panel: Sebastian speaking with Marcus, Marcellus and Zoe.
These two panels are mirrored.
Banners
In the northern and southern side aisles are banners that were carried in the procession of 1912 in honor of the 600th anniversary of the Holy Crosses of Asse.
Main altar
The main altar, which has an altarpiece (1892) that is attributed to Edward Bressers and Leopold Blanchard, is situated in the choir.
Painting
In the back of the church, above the door to the organ loft, hangs the painting “The multiplication of the bread and fish”, attributed to Gaspar de Crayer, a baroque artist who was strongly influenced by Rubens. The painting has been dated to the middle of the 17th century.
Stations of the Cross
These Stations of the Cross hang in the northern and southern side aisles of the nave. The paintings in the northern aisle are signed by Ange Francois, those of the southern aisle are signed by Auguste Serrure and F. Vinck, or both.
