Saint Martin
Onkerzelestraat
9500 Onkerzele (Geraardsbergen)
Church | 1847 | Neogothic | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 January - 31 December
Mon 10.00 - 17.00
Tue 10.00 - 17.00
Wed 10.00 - 17.00
Thu 10.00 - 17.00
Fri 10.00 - 17.00
Sat 10.00 - 17.00
Sun 10.00 - 17.00
Closed until the end 2027 for complete interior restoration and creation of a bicycle museum.
Religious offices
Description
However, the first church in Onkerzele, which is already mentioned in the 12th century, was located in another place, on the corner of Kampstraat and Onkerzelestraat, where later a cave and a chapel were built. In 1776 the church was in such a bad condition that it was decided to build a new church on the ridge. However, the French Revolution caused a delay and the first spade stitch was only given in 1846. The church was completed in 1847.
The new church was built in neo-Gothic style, reusing a lot of material from the old church. The church was finally consecrated on 4 July 1853. In 2006, however, stability problems and construction faults came to light, releasing stucco from the ceiling. A thorough restoration of the outside area was required, which was carried out in 2013 and completed in 2016.
Now you can enjoy this church again to the fullest, which still contains many interior elements of the old church, such as two baroque side altars from 1694. But the real highlights are a late Gothic triumphal cross from the 16th century and 3 St. Martin's statues, the oldest dating from the 17th century.
The restoration of the interior is underway and a part of the church will also be given a side destination as "bike church"; this will become the 2nd bicycle church of our country. The choice for a bicycle church was obvious, namely the location between the "Wall of Geraardsbergen" and the "Bosberg", known from the Tour of Flanders. In the near future you will be able to enjoy a recreational 'cycling experience' in and round the church!
KIKIRPA : Photo-library online
www.fietskerk.be
Photos
Media
Remarkable elements
Main altar
The current neo-Gothic main altar by Frans Delestré (Geraardsbergen) was placed in 1878. Originally, there stood a little wooden statue of Christ on a cross in the middle of the church, on a predominantly orange colored polychromed pedestal. This 18cm tall statue, presumably by Gustave Merckaert (approx. 1900), was created after a faithful example from the 15th century.
Both the little statue of Christ and the pedestal resurfaced in November 2009 from the church archives. The cross was found in 2010. We are hoping to restore the statue.
In the meantime, the center of the church will be adorned with a beautiful wooden statue of Our Lady of Sorrows (from the period before 1700) flanked by wooden statues of the 4 evangelists.
Three statues of Saint Martin
The oldest polychromed wooden equestrian statue of Saint Martin of Tours (85 cm tall) dates from 1621. Some parts however, are made of iron (the helmet for example). One can find the helmet on the pulpit.
In 1857, a large polychromed wooden statue of Saint Martin of Tours was purchased. It is located against the right wall of the church.
The smaller wooden polychromed equestrian statue of Saint Martin of Tours dates from the middle of the 19th century. One can also see some iron elements on this statue. This little work of art (47 cm small) received a fixed spot above the entrance of the additional sacristy.
Jesus on the cross
From the old church, a single beautiful gothic polychromed wooden crucifix from the 16th century was preserved. This crucifix is decorated with curly kale leaves. The four arms end in a quatrefoil, on which the symbols of the evangelists are depicted. This valuable work of art now hangs above the current altar.
Pulpit
The pulpit from 1740, from the old church, was not transferred to the current church. In 1857, a new pulpit was purchased. This pulpit is by the hand of carpenter Leothier (from the city of Geraardsbergen).
This pulpit had two staircases and a sounding board. On the shell of the pulpit, one can see a representation of Moses with the Tablets of the Law of Sinai (the two stone tablets on which the 10 commandments were written.)
Organ
The neo-Gothic organ was built in 1854 by Leonard Lovaert (1802-1872) from the city of Ghent. A partial restoration (front pipes) was done in 1974 by Ghislain Potvlieghe. After a process that took several years the final restoration work was started in 1994 by Studio Dierik Potvlieghe (Oetingen).
The formal dedication took place on September 8, 1996, the same day on which the 2 new clocks (Mary and Thérèse) were consecrated.
Particularly remarkable about this monument, protected since 1974, are the wooden draw stops that are equipped with a copper pull knob. The organ is, amongst experts, primarily known for its remarkably beautiful cornet sound.
Bells
The large bell dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours (1,100 kg) was acquired in 1861. Under the initiative of pastor Alain Babylon, our bell tower received two smaller bells on September 8, 1996. These were cast on May 7, 1996 in the Dutch village of Asten ::
- Mary’s bell (250 kg) is decorated with acanthus leaves. That the bell was named after Mary, has everything to do with the so-called brotherhood of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows from the village of Onkerzele.
- Saint Thérèse’s Bell (350 kg) refers to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. It is decorated with playing children, referring to Saint Catherine’s college, and the nearby department of the KSA youth organization.
