Church of Sint-Eligius in Westouter (Heuvelland) - Discover this open and welcoming religious building

Church | XX | Romanesque | Catholic Church

Disabled access Parking space Organ

Map

Opening hours

01 January - 31 December
Mon 8.30 - 18.00
Tue 8.30 - 18.00
Wed 8.30 - 18.00
Thu 8.30 - 18.00
Fri 8.30 - 18.00
Sat 8.30 - 18.00
Sun 8.30 - 18.00

Religious offices

Kerknet

Description

The church of Saint Eloi was already an independent parish in 1069. Originally Romanesque it was altered to Gothic style though the Romanesque octagonal tower remains to this day. It was never occupied during the First World War but is was shelled, unfortunately, and it and the whole village were totally destroyed.

A Neo-Gothic building was raised on the foundations of the old church in 1922-23 after the plans of the architect J Coomans.It is a market hall style church in yellow brick with three naves. The bas-relief of the portal depicts the return of Westouter prisoners of war.

Inside are confessionals from the 17th and 18th centuries and an organ, a masterpiece by Jules Anneessens, from 1920-29.

On the square in front of the church is the chapel of Our Lady of Czestochowa (Poland) built to commemorate the liberation on 6th September 1944.

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Remarkable elements

Last supper

This was conceived as a front altar panel. It was made in 1958 by the Austrian Hans Heinz Goll in the work place of "Perignem" in Beernem. Elisabeth Vandeweghe donated it to the church in 2008.

Confessional

The oldest confessional can be found in the back of the church, left side. It is simply but beautifully carved in oak and dates from the 17th century. The two other confessionals date from 1974.

Four evangelists

The sculptures of the four evangelists plus the image of Christ on the lectern were made from the wood of the pulpit from 1925, dismantled in 1970. We see, from left to right, Marc (lion), Matthew (angel), Luke (bull) and John (eagle).

Song of the sun

In six paintings Jenny Heyman, a painter from Westouter, expressed her vision on the Song of the sun by St. Francis of Assisi.

Small bell

The smallest bell in the church was cast in 1597. It is too old and fragile to be used and leaves the tolling to the other bells, Marie-Rose (1929), Eligius (1929) and Donatus

Tympanum

Above the entrance is a ceramic work of art by Lucien De Gheus from Poperinge. Its subject is the safe return of all people deported from Westouter after the second world war. Pastor Albert Ghesquière donated it to the church in 1957 on the occasion of the golden anniversary of is priesthood.

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