Saint Amandus
Geraardsbergsesteenweg 300
9404 Aspelare (Ninove)
Church | XV | Baroque | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 January - 31 December
Mon 9.00 - 18.00
Tue 9.00 - 18.00
Wed 9.00 - 18.00
Thu 9.00 - 18.00
Fri 9.00 - 18.00
Sat 9.00 - 18.00
Sun 9.00 - 18.00
Religious offices
Description
The first known mention of the Saint Amand church also dates back to that same year of 1118. That there would have been a prayer house earlier than that moment in time, is to be presumed. In the 15th century there followed a new church, that was expanded upon during the years 1776-1778 from being a cross church to a hall church. The church received its current look with the extension of the storage rooms in 1851.
During the Old Regime the church belonged to Aspelare, and in a short amount of time from 1576 until 1596, it belonged to the deanery of Geraardsbergen. The church was part of Nederhasselt on a legislative and churchly level. After the French Revolution, Aspelare was quickly added to the deanery of Ninove.
The church is situated at the main road, the Geraardsbergessteenweg. This gravel road saw a widening in 1957, by which the cemetery wall of the Saint Amand church had to be rebuilt and was placed closer to the western wall of the church. Around 1976, the cemetery wall south of the church was also placed in closer proximity to the church, to make room for the widening of the current street named Melkbos. The relocation of the cemetery wall also made it possible to have parking spots added to the southern cemetery wall. In that same period of time, also the graves on the cemetery were removed. Today, only the monumental graves to the western wall of the church remain.
KIKIRPA : Photo-library online
Photos
Remarkable elements
Gravestone of Philips de Dyn
“Filips De Deyn mathematician and geographer”. This famous inhabitant of Aspelare lived in the 17th century and drew as a sworn surveyor beautiful maps, amongst which many were commissioned by the Ninovian Norbertine abbey. His gravestone mentions in Old Dutch: “Here lies buried Sir Philips De Dyn, sworn surveyor, mathematician and geographer, who passed away on August 5th of 1665, and Anna Van Gansbeek, his housewife, who passed away on September 25th of 1628. And Anna Droesbeker, his second housewife, who passed away on December 23rd of 1667. And Phil. De Dyn, their son, who passed away on April 11th of 1667, also a mathematician etc. Pray for the souls.”
Organ Van Peteghem
Builder and year of construction: Pieter van Peteghem and sons 1783, new organ with use of some elements (e.g. the organ case) of an older instrument.
Northern side altar
Painting: The Assumption of Mary. Canvas, 17th century, approx. 240 x 170 cm.
Altar piece: Floral wonder in the empty grave.
Head altar
Painting: Descent from the Cross. Canvas, 17th century, approx. 240 x 170 cm.
High altar: White marble, Louis XIV with renaissance background in painted wood. Dedicated to Saint Amand with at the top a little statue of the Saint with crosier in the one hand and a model of a little church in the other. On his feet, one can see an image of a dragon; symbol of evil and disbelief.
Tabernacle on the high altar: White marble, Louis XIV, created in 1853 by J. De Can of Dendermonde.
Pulpit
On the cockpit grisailles with depiction of Saint Agnes of Rome (to the left), Preaching of Saint John the Baptist (in the middle), and the Good Shepherd (to the right).
On the handrail: Statue of Saint Amand with relic of the Saint (1641).
Southern side altar
Painting by E. Bert: Beheading of John the Baptist. Canvas, 18th century, approx. 200 x 150 cm.
Altarpiece: Painted wood in Renaissance style.
Above the altar: Little statue of Saint John.
