Saint Peter in Chains
Marktplein
9220 Hamme
Church | XII-XVIII | Classical | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 January - 31 December
Mon 8.00 - 18.00
Tue 8.00 - 18.00
Wed 8.00 - 18.00
Thu 8.00 - 18.00
Fri 8.00 - 18.00
Sat 8.00 - 18.00
Sun 10.00 - 16.30
Guided tour
+32 52 47 56 05
Religious offices
Description
The Church of Saint Peter, with three naves, located on the Grand Place, was rebuilt in the Classical style in 1740. The west tower from the 12th century, with its late Romanesque clerestory bays, is the sole intact element from this period.
A few statues of lime tree wood come from the old church. These are statues dating from the 15th to the 17th century, among them statues of Saint Catherine and of Saint George mounted on horseback.
Among the pictures, one can admire the painting of "Jesus Falling under the Cross" from the school of P.P. Rubens. But the oldest work is a crown of light / halo of wrought iron in the shape of a tree of life, or ygdrasil.
This is found in front of the statue of the Virgin.
KIKIRPA : Photo-library online
Photos
Remarkable elements
Font
The romanesque font was cut from grey polished hardstone. The base column is octagonal and its capital forms the half-spherical basin holding the holy water. This font came from the earlier church and dates from before the 16th century. Famous inhabitants such as Filip De Pillecijn were baptized here. The lid (1827) is handmade, simple and unadorned and replaces the original lid from 1752. Notice the text on the lid.
Confessional
The confessional dates from 1653 and was made by Philip Taelboom. Pictures of Saint Peter, patron saint of the church, and Mary Magdalen were sculpted in the column, their faces turning towards the penitent. Mary Magdalen with long bushy hair expresses sadness and mourning. Her tears, mouth and sharp facial features express repentence. Her folded hands bear a skull and her body is covered with a penitential cloak. There is also a whip on her belt. Saint Peter imploringly raises his folded hands holding the church keys.
Altar of Saint Peter
This is the oldest altar in the church. In the recesses are two lime wood gothic pictures of St. Catherine and St. Barbara. The in Brabant late-gothic style executed picture of St. Barbara dates from the 16th century and comes, together with that of St. Catherine, from the old church, probably part of a lost altar piece. Together they represent the active and contemplative life.The painting dates from 1616 but was heavily damaged during WWII. At the top is the 16th century statue of St. Peter. A picture of St. George fighting the dragon completes the scene.
High altar
At the time when the old church was replaces by the new building, the church committee decided to build a bigger new high altar.The altar tomb and steps are made from red napoleonic marble (1815). The wooden tabernacle from 1740 bears the images of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary on the two small bottom doors. The turning platform depicts the story of Abraham offering his son Isaac. On either side of the tabernacle two angels bend down towards the altar. Also admire the stained glass windows, a gift by a noble family.
Altar of the Holy Mary
This altar occupies the whole back wall on the left side. The neo-renaissance altar was a gift by an anonymous donor to replace the old, decaying one. A special feature are the four classic dorian columns with guilded base and capital. In the middle is a recess with guilded drapes and a 17th century sculpture of the Pieta, which comes from the old church and which was stripped and repainted in gothic style.
Pulpit
The pulpit (1895) replaces an older one, discarded after an angel dislodged and fell to the ground after a particularly fiery sermon by the priest in 1893. It was inaugurated on 22 Sept. 1895 at the close of the local village fair.Around the central base stand the four important prophets of the Old Testament, executed in renaissance style. The decorations on the pulpit body depict scenes from the New Testament: the four evangelists. St. Peter’s bust appears on the low entrance door to the pulpit body. At the top stands the angel with trompet, announcing the Last Judgment.
Nearby
Circuit
Temse: 'Heilig Harnas'
Religious heritage around Temse-Hamme. Welcome to the land of trousers, mud flats and salt marshes. The rivers Durme and Scheldt have proven to be a blessing, but just as often a curse! Floods were commonplace. The Church and abbeys often acted as protectors.
