21 March - 20 September
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
21 September - 20 March
Mon 9.00 - 16.30
Tue 9.00 - 16.30
Wed 9.00 - 16.30
Thu 9.00 - 16.30
Fri 9.00 - 16.30
Sat 9.00 - 16.30
Sun 9.00 - 16.30
Weekend celebrations alternate between Saturday and Sunday.
From 1120, when it was first mentioned, until the French Revolution, this church was entrusted to the care of the Norbertine abbey of Veurne. In 1494 the original romanesque building was replaced by a hallchurch with 3 naves. The tower remained intact. In 1775 two side-chancels were added.
The church is an integral part of the classified historic town centre. Some houses are built leaning unto the outside walls of the aisles. These walls show a colourful display of yellow and red brick, iron sandstone, stone from Tournai and limestone. The west portal contains a representation of the “Twenty-four elders of the Apocalypse” and a fading image of “Christ flanked by the Holy Mary and Saint John”.
The bell “little bomb” is the only one remaining from a carillon stolen during the French Revolution. It dates from 1379 and is one of the oldest in Flanders.
Inside the church is a triptych (1534) from Jan Van Amstel. Other art treasures are the 17th century paintings and tombs. A special treasure is the “Cross of the Sodality” (1639) donated by canon Jacob Clou to the brotherhood of lay men he founded and which organises the penitential procession which still takes to the streets every last Saturday in July. In a lively and folksy way it enacts the old and New Testament.
KIKIRPA : Photo-library online
Leaflet church