Saint Martin
Place de l'Eglise
7950 Chièvres
Church | XIV-XV | Gothic | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 January - 31 December
Mon 9.00 - 19.00
Tue 9.00 - 19.00
Wed 9.00 - 19.00
Thu 9.00 - 19.00
Fri 9.00 - 19.00
Sat 9.00 - 19.00
Sun 9.00 - 19.00
Church closed for an indefinite period for roof restoration work.
Religious offices
Tuesday and Friday 6 pm
Sunday 9.30 am
Description
This building, with a well developed plan and with spacious proportions, counts among the most interesting Gothic churches of Hainaut. It dates back to the 14th century and includes an imposing tower.
In the interior, some interesting works will be noted, particularly a Gothic lectern in the shape of an eagle (1403), a pieta of Christ in white stone (1500), a hanging Calvary, baptismal fonts and the stained glass windows in the choir.
Reviving the medieval tradition, theatrical presentations take place in the forecourt of the church.
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Photos
Remarkable elements
The Christ of mercy
The Christ of mercy, dates from 1500 (16th century). This statue was made of white stone. There are still traces of polychromy. Height: 1m62.
Pulpit
The pulpit is a bowl decorated with cherub statuettes and four panels in relief with the figures of Santiago the Great as a pilgrim, Santiago preaching. The backrest is decorated with cherubs and the Mystical Delta with the eye of God, the megaphone with two musical cherubs. This pulpit is in the Louis XV style, in oak. It dates from the second or even third half of the 18th century.
Lettner
The lectern, in the shape of an eagle (an attribute of Saint John the Evangelist), is associated with a workshop in Bruges. The base is based on lions lying down. It is a gift from Jean Ducelier. Dated 1484, in the "Gothic" style, this object is made of cast brass.
The altarpiece of Our Lady of the Fountain
The altarpiece of Our Lady of the Fountain, is dated 1872. A monogram confirms this on the work. The altar is made of stone, the altarpiece is made of wood. In the centre of the scenes, the statue of Our Lady of the Fountain. This statue is signed by a certain Firmin Hockay, its height is 104 cm.
Stained glass windows by Crespin and Crickx
Following the hostilities of the Second World War, the church lost its stained glass windows. The last ones were affixed around 1955. They represent the Resurrection and the Evangelists, Pentecost, the Holy Trinity and the Lord's Supper. The stained glass windows of the choir were made by Louis Charles Crespin and François Crickx.
Funeral monument of the de Croÿ family
A monument, restored in 1873 by the de Croÿ family, is placed in the wall of the Sacré-Choeur chapel (transept of the Saint-Martin de Chièvres church), reminding Charles-Guillaume de Croÿ and his wife Anne de Renesse.
