Saint Peter and Paul
Gaston Martensplein
9870 Zulte
Church | 1925 | Gothic | 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
+32 498 88 95 77
Religious offices
Description
The oldest, romanesque, church of Zulte dates back to the 12th century and was dedicated to Saint Peter and Saint Paul. It was situated near the Leie next to a main roman road. In the 16th century the church was transformed into a late gothic church with one central nave, and in 1668 two narrow aisles were added. In 1913 the church became to small and was expanded by replacing the left aisle by 2 new, bigger ones.
The construction was interrupted by world war I and in 1918 the tower was blown up by retreating German soldiers, creating a lot of damage to the building. Until 1925, church services were held in a wooden temporary construction.
In 1925, the new church was finally inaugurated after 11 years of rebuilding and war. It now had 4 aisles, which is unique in Flanders.
One of the highlights of the church are the stained glass windows. They are not only perfectly executed but they also depict the history of Zulte. Many of the donors came from important local families who played an influential role in the local parish.
The classified organ
KIKIRPA : Photo-library online
Photos
Media
Remarkable elements
Stations of the cross
The 14 stations were painted around 1925 in the workplace of Frans Coppejans and were donated by Miss Simone De Meulemeester, daughter of the local town clerk Victor De Meulemeester (+1923). This is a fine example of the painting-on-copper technique used by Coppejans. Another one can be admired in the Pamele church in Oudenaarde.
Painting: “Saint Peter released from prison”
By Antoon van den Heuvel in 1642, this painting was intended for the then main altar. After the 1925 renovation it was moved to its present location. The painter lived in Italy for a few years and got his inspiration from a fresco by Raphael in the famous basilica San Pietro in Vincoli, Rome.
Stained glass window: Joan of Arc praying for the church benefactors
Made in the workplace of Frans Coppejans (1927). The coat of arms is that of the town of Orléans, France and refers to Jeanne d’Arc, also known as the virgin of Orléans. The window was donated by Michel Martens, local business man. Another window, (Saint Cecilia and Saint Anthony) was donated by R. Marchand, Martens’ business partner. A separate leaflet on these windows “The path of Enlightenment” was published by Willy Nachtergaele (2015).
Former main altar
In the aisle on the right, (the nave before 1925). The tabernacle dates from 1755, as shown on the chronogram “ChrIstI DoMICILIo (M=1000, D=500, C=100, L=50, I=1 // 1M, 1D, 2C, 1L, 5I = 1755).
Pulpit
Wooden pulpit with beautiful cartouches symbolizing the 4 evangelists: lion, ox, eagle and human figure. It dates from 1733.
