Saint Martin
Metselstraat
3300 Vissenaken (Tienen)
Church | 1778 | Classical | 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
Description
The building is of medium size and made up of bricks in classical style. The two windows of the choir are just as big as the six windows from the nave and are stained glass windows. The annex buildings on each side of the tower both have a smaller windows on two of their walls. The sacristy has two windows and a door to the cemetery. All windows have a frame in Gobertange limestone.
On the inside, one can clearly see a very simple austere style.
The simple organ dates back from 1876, and there’s interior woodwork dating back from the 18th, 19th and 20th century, and this in apparent different styles. The altar pieces are done in Art deco style. The way of the cross is fairly recent and almost completely a gift from several well-off families. Different statues and the shrine of Saint Himelin decorate the church. Several of the bigger paintings that are hanging in the church are currently on loan from the franciscans.
An inventory of the movable property is still to be drawn up.
Erfgoedplus
KIKIRPA : photo-libray online
Photos
Remarkable elements
High altar with tabernacle
Simple painted wood portico altar. The sculpture now on top once stood at the center, originally crowned by a plain cross. Today a painting of Saint Martin serves as the altarpiece, framed by composite pilasters supporting a pediment with a winged angel head. Angel heads and ears of corn also decorate the sides. The altar base, candle stand, and tabernacle remain modest.
Confessionals
Two oak confessionals with three roman arch openings and at the centre, a low door with a rectangular panel showing in each corner a tiny flower. The top of the tiny door is decorated with a bow with garlands. The three openings are flanked on both sides by a pilaster with composite materials. Above the roman arch openings, one can find a dentil toothed coving and profiled cornice.
Painting of Saint Francis with the newborn Jesus
Large 1938 canvas by Father Andrew Bosteels showing Saint Francis, tonsured, barefoot and in habit, holding the child Jesus in a white cloth. A bright halo surrounds them, drawing the attention of colorful robed onlookers. To Francis’s right are a manger with ox, donkey and sheep. In the background stand an altar with cross, candles and a book, with various objects in the foreground.
Saint Francis, Jesus and Mary, and a self-portrait by painter Father Andrew Bosteels (Léon Bosteels) (1938)
A large canvas shows a self portrait as a bust behind kneeling Saint Francis. With tonsure and robes, Francis kneels before Jesus, resting his left hand on a young sheep and raising his right toward his head, his gaze fixed on Jesus. Both figures glow with golden halos, echoed in those around them. Mary stands between Francis and Jesus. The scene unfolds outdoors in a wooded setting.
Reliquary with the relics of Saint Himelin
The reliquary is a rectangular box with a gabled roof, its wooden sides covered with metal plates set with multicoloured gemstones in a symmetrical layout. Quatrefoils and Celtic crosses form part of the decoration. At the keyhole, a locket with the initials “SH” appears against red. The lid carries two transparent spheres with French lilies. The piece stands on four claw feet and contains a sealed wooden box.
Organ
Wooden organ case with front, in one organ stop with three bays.The pipework is captured in two roman arches. Between and next to the arches, are pilasters with composite materials on which one can see a profiled cornice.The keyboard with one row of keys were placed under and perpendicular to the organ case. Above the keyboard, there are nine organ stop keys. Baluster with baluster-shaped supports.
