Saint Peter
Halsesteenweg 44
9402 Meerbeke (Ninove)
Church | 1752 | Baroque | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 January - 31 December
Mon 9.00 - 17.00
Tue 9.00 - 17.00
Wed 9.00 - 17.00
Thu 9.00 - 17.00
Fri 9.00 - 17.00
Sat 9.00 - 17.00
Sun 9.00 - 17.00
Guided tour
+32 54 33 20 25
Religious offices
Description
Saint Peter’s Church likely arose around 700 as a chapel holding the remains of St Berlinda, who died circa 690 in Meerbeke. Tradition recounts how her leprous father disinherited her after seeing her wipe his beaker before drinking; he then donated all his possessions to Nivelles Abbey. Berlinda became a nun in Moorsel but returned to Meerbeke to aid the sick and needy. She is patron saint of farmers, invoked against cattle diseases.
The first chapel, built by Count Odelard, her father, was destroyed by Vikings and rebuilt around 1000 as a Romanesque church. After a major fire, the nave was reconstructed in 1642. In 1750 a rococo façade in Leiden stone was added, shaping the view from the main road. The octagonal lantern shaped tower is striking. Church, walled churchyard, tree lined square and war monument form a classified heritage site.
The rich 18th century interior reflects the prosperity brought by pilgrimages to Berlinda’s shrine. Five large Flemish School paintings (1750) depict episodes from her life. The treasury includes two grisailles (1840) by Jan Jozef De Loose, an altarpiece Peter and John helping a cripple by Jan De Landtsheer, a marble font in the octagonal baptistery, and baroque side altars. The carved pulpit shows the stable of Bethlehem (Pieter Valckx, 1773).
The church and its surroundings are well known as the finish of the Tour of Flanders from 1973 to 2011.
Photos
Remarkable elements
Organ
The organ from the H.H.Harten monastery in Ninove, built by Orgelbouw Jos Moors, was moved to St. Peter's Church in Meerbeke in the autumn of 2022 with the permission of the Immovable Heritage Agency. The organ will be made available to the Municipal Academy for Music, Word and Dance for organ lessons.
Pulpit
Pulpit from 1773-1776: depiction of Joseph and Mary with the baby Jesus in the stable in Bethlehem.
Side altar
Side altar of Saint Berlindis with reliquary.
High altar
High altar from 1813-1851
Communion rail
The communion rail was restored to its original form by Ambachtelijk Houtwerk Thomas Huyghe in December 2021.
Altar
The new altar and accompanying lettner were designed by deacon-artist Jacques Dieudonné. The consecration by Mgr. Lode Van Hecke, Bishop of Ghent, took place on Saturday 15 January 2022. The relics of St. Berlindis and St. Cornelius were placed in the altar during the consecration ceremony.
