Saint Denis
Dorpstraat 51
9260 Serskamp (Wichelen)
Church | 1856 | Neogothic | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 January - 31 December
Mon 9.00 - 17.00
Tue 9.00 - 17.00
Wed 9.00 - 17.00
Thu 9.00 - 17.00
Fri 9.00 - 17.00
Sat 9.00 - 17.00
Sun 9.00 - 17.00
Guided tour
+32 473 67 14 64 - p.a.matthijs@telenet.be
Religious offices
only funerals, weddings and occasional celebrations
Description
The present church stands on the old church site of this centuries old village, bordering the cemetery. A house of prayer already existed here in the 12th century. Serskamp was then “one of the Count’s own villages” in the Land of Aalst, under the direct authority of the Count of Flanders, who exercised special rights such as administering justice.
In 1848 the council decided to replace the decayed and too small church. Construction could only begin after 1855, when priest architect Jan August Clarysse provided suitable plans.
A three aisled neo Gothic church dedicated to Saint Denis was built. The bluestone memorial stone to the right of the portal refers to the first stone laying in 1856. The church is built in red karelen from nearby Rupelmonde.
The tower has five sections of varying height and a strongly constricted octagonal slate spire. Outside, a covered Calvary stands against the choir. At the front, an inscription invites prayer for deceased family members. Beneath the Calvary, in an arched recess, is a commemorative plaque for Petrus Livinus Dalschaert († 1871), alongside memorial tablets for F. Dalschaert and A.M. Van Hauwermeire. In 2001 two restored late 18th century tombstones of clergy were placed against the façade.
The church was conceived as a total artwork and furnished in Gothic Revival style. The colourful neo Gothic murals were overpainted in the 1970s, except for several preserved paintings in the choir.
Photos
Remarkable elements
Statues of Saint Blaise of Sebaste and Saint Denis of Paris
On the pillars of the choir stand two wooden polychrome statues that originate from the convent of the village of Tussenbeke : Saint Blaise of Sebaste (here), for whom there was a special veneration in the convent, and Saint Denis of Paris. Both statues date from the 17th century.
Main and side altars
The three oak altars in the choir were made by Séraphin de Maertelaere (1855-1928), a sculptor from the village of Wetteren : the main altar - the altar of Our Lady (to the left) - the Cornelius altar (to the right).
The neo-Gothic altars with artfully executed woodwork form from a stylistic point of view, a whole with the architecture.
Painting “Jesus, friend of little children” (17th century)
Above the churchwarden’s pew, hangs a painting called “Jesus, friend of little children” (190 x 175 cm). It is by an unknown master, although closely resembling the works of the Brussels painter Hendrik De Clerk (about 1560-1630) or the Antwerp painter Frans Floris de Vriendt (1519-1570).
The painting was donated to the church in 1625 by the archbishop Jacobus Boonen from the city of Mechelen. He donated it after visiting the church and seeing the bad condition the building was in.
Organ
The organ was built in 1958 by the organ builder Verschueren from the city of Tongeren, for the centennial celebration of the church. This new instrument replaced the previous organ that was installed in the church in 1858. The two musical angels to the left and the right of the organ, are remnants of that organ. The railing of the rood screen was also renovated in 1958 and was made by carpenter De Neve from the village of Lede.
Pulpit
The pulpit’s origin is unclear. In 1779, Serskamp bought it from Gijzegem, where a new one had just been installed. The volutes forming its base may come from that earlier piece, while the rest is stylistically later. The tub bears medallions with the busts of Saint Peter, Saint Denis of Paris and Christ.
Calvary
On the outside, against the wall of the choir stands a calvary. This too refers to an ancient Christian tradition. At the foot of the crucifix, stand the statues of Our Lady and Mary Magdalene.
