Saint-Martin

The little heads on the facades

Above the entrance window, a small head comes out of the wall. Her friend does the same a few meters higher. Finally, a third one also watches over the surroundings, hung on the bell tower's staircase turret. They are evangelists, but the fourth one has unfortunately disappeared. Symbolizing the Good News, their heads adorned very ancient baptismal font, dating back to the 12th century, or perhaps even further. 

The choir and its windows

The choir and its arched windows (semi-circular) date back to the Romanesque period (12th century). 

Former private chapel

The present sacristy was first the old private chapel of the lords (the door to the left of the choir). They entered through a small door, hidden at the back of the church, still visible. An opening was made in the wall that opens onto the choir. In this way the lords could attend mass without going among the people.

Gothic community hall

At that time, the lords and representatives of the village came together in the community hall, built in the heart of the church. Like the nave and its chapels, it dates back to the XVIth century and represents Gothic particularities. Today it is not accessible but one can get an idea of what it was like to be a municipal hall by visiting the nearby church of Horrues.

Graveplate

In the left chapel (the northern arm of the transept), two white faces, very light, are watching over the church: Guillaume de Gavres and his wife Béatrix du Bos. This graveplate was originally placed horizontally on the stone plates at the ends in the shape of a lion. 

Lying down, the head on a small pillow, witnessing their eternal rest, the couple waits for the day of the last judgment. Their garments are perfectly interwoven with the fine lines of the environment: Gothic features, here and there decorated with small floral motifs. They are accompanied by a lion and a small dog, symbols of strength and fidelity, but also of the four evangelists.

An arson in Steenkerque

It was because of a love story that the village caught fire. Jacqueline de Bavière, Countess of Hainaut, wife of the Duke of Brabant, decides to leave him to engage with someone she loves: the son of the king of England. What is the connection with Steenkerque? At that time, the lords had to swear allegiance to their sovereign. Guillaume de Gavres, lord Van Steenkerque, faced a dilemma: defend the countess's interests or follow the Duke of Brabant, a very important neighbour. He chose to support Jacqueline de Bavière. In retaliation, Jan IV of Brabant simply set fire to the village. Yet the count spared the life of Guillaume de Gavres (cf. the grave plate).

Download the plan of the remarkable elements