Sint-Martinus
Dorp 1
9830 Sint-Martens-Latem
Church | XVII-XIX | Romanesque | 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
Religious offices
Description
An Episcopal charter indicates that a small church already existed prior to 1121 in Sint-Martens-Latem. From the original Romanesque shape one supposes that this small old church was built with stone from Tournai As the church is located on the banks of the Lys, the limestone from Tournai could be easily brought in along the Schelde and the Lys.
In 1771 the church was changed fundamentally. It was lengthened by a half and the transepts and the arch over the nave/transept crossing were enlarged. The rickety tower, which threatened to collapse, was demolished and replaced by the present tower. The last significant transformation took place in the 19th century and gave the church its current appearance: a Neo-Gothic hall with three equally high naves. The ancient building has been preserved in the choir and the transept. The tombs of the painter Albijn Van den Abeele (1835-1918) and the sculptor baron George Minne (1866-1941) can be found in the graveyard.
Inside one is struck by the 15th century woodcarvings of the high altar. They depict the Visitation of Mary and her cousin Elisabeth.
The pulpit and the confessional are the 18th century Rococo works of Jacobus Martens from Ghent but contemporary art is also present : the stained-glass windows are by Harold van de Perre and the painting ‘Mary giving the rosary to Saint Dominic’ (1900), above the side altar, is by the Latem painter Gustave Van de Woestijne. The charcoal pen drawing ‘Ecce Homo’, in the side chapel, is by Latem painter Albert Servaes.
Since 2005, the European 'Route Saint-Martin de Tours' has been a cultural route recognised by the Council of Europe. This Saint-Martin church is part of the route that leads from Utrecht through Flanders to Tours.
KIKIRPA : Photo-library online
Photos
Remarkable elements
Altar
The front shows a beautiful example of wood carving. It depicts the Virgin Mary visiting Elisabeth (probably 15th century). Scenes from the life of the Holy Mary were a popular subject during the reign of the Dukes of Burgundy.
Pulpit and confessional
The pulpit (1771) and confessional (1767) are nice examples of the rococo style by Jacobus Martens from Ghent. The cartouche in the confessional contains a picture of Saint Peter who is identified by the keys and the rooster.
Stained-glass windows
They were designed by Harold Van de Perre and executed in the Mestdagh workplace in Ghent. The windows successively depict the following:
A. In the nave:
- on the right wall: the Annunciation , Mary and Child, baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan, the
calling of Peter.
- on the left wall: the Last Supper, Pieta and Pentecost scene.
- the back wall: glorification of Sint-Martens-Latem (rural Latem, painter and painting, the Lys,
Saint Bavo, building, mill, heaven with sun and moon) and the celestial city of Jerusalem with the apocalyptic vision of Saint John (Mary trampling the serpent, the Lamb of God with the book of seven seals, hords of worshippers).
B. In the side chapel: Mary, Saint Joseph, Christmas scene, the Sacraments: Eucharist and “Alfa and Omega”.
Stations of the cross
These ar the work of Paul de Bruyne and date from 1983.
Statues
The sculpted Christ above the altar dates from the 17th century. The wooden bust above the tabernacle is probably Saint Martin and dates from the 17th century. In earlier times it was probably part of the main altar. The wooden statue of the Holy Mary (1974) was carved by Mathias Zens from Ghent. The statue of the Sacred Heart was made by sculptor-artist George Minne.
