Church of Sint-Willibrordus in Middelkerke - Discover this open and welcoming religious building

Church | 1845 ; 1932-1935 | Neogothic, Neoromanesque | Catholic Church

Disabled access

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 9.00 - 12.00

Description

The church of Saint Willibrord stands out because of its two towers of different styles and materials. The white stone tower (previously a lighthouse) is a remnant of the 17th century church which was preserved during the building’s demolition in the 19th century. In 1848 a new Neo-Gothic church was built in brick.

It was rebuilt in the 1920’s after its destruction during WWI. In 1930-35 it was enlarged towards the south and with a second brick tower in the south east in Neo-Romanesque- Byzantine style. It is a square area with three choirs, a large nave and narrower side naves.

On the pediment above the entrance Christ, Mary Mediatrix and Saint Willibrord are represented.

The altar piece dedicated to Saint Willibrord(1854) shows scenes from his life. In 1935 another altar was set up alongside this one.

The miraculous cross was buried in the beach during the Iconoclasm and was slowly forgotten but it reappeared spontaneously in 1657.

Inside the church are restored frescoes, stained glass windows and some items coming from the old church.

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Photos

Remarkable elements

Miraculous cross in right apsis

The worship of the Miraculous Cross is said to go back to 1569. The church thus became a regional place of pilgrimage for fishermen.

Dome above the nave

In 1935 the dome was decorated with neo-byzantine sgraffito paintings designed by O. Hoge, an artist from Ghent. They depict the four Evangelists and their symbols.

High altar in the old church

The old church now serves as winter chapel. The interior is sober, whitewashed walls in the nave and chancel under a vault of cross rib arches. The former portal has a trough vault.

New high altar with canopy

This altar in the 19th century neo-gothic church dates from around 1935, designed by the gold/mosaic artist Linthout (Bruges).

Stained glass windows

These were restored in 1887-1889 and again in 1915-1916. Each show 3 saints in the transepts of the “new” church.

Paintings in the old church

Here are several historic paintings belonging to the Flemish School of painters and date from the 17th and 18th century. They depict scenes from the life of the Holy Mary and the Holy Family.