Open Churches Days at
Onze-Lieve-Vrouw
Zandbergenplein
9506 Zandbergen (Geraardsbergen)
Church | XVIII | | Catholic Church
The church from roof to basement
Guided tour
01 June 2025 : 11.00 - 17.00Photomontage of roof structure , vaults and bell tower.
View of Obeits (3 pm).
Obeits are burial shields/family shields of the noble de Lalaing family living at Zandbergen Castle. These family shields in the church date back to the 1600s of noblemen buried there and from these shields their status can be deduced (count, squire, married, squire). Since 2 years, they have also had a crypt next to Our Lady's Church.
Bat colony by Natuurpunt.
Price
FreeContact
Michel Van den Eynde+32 496 93 75 77
michel.vandeneynde@gmail.com
More about this church
Opening hours
01 April - 31 October
Mon 10.00 - 18.00
Tue 10.00 - 18.00
Wed 10.00 - 18.00
Thu 10.00 - 18.00
Fri 10.00 - 18.00
Sat 10.00 - 18.00
Sun 10.00 - 18.00
01 November - 31 March
Mon 10.00 - 16.00
Tue 10.00 - 16.00
Wed 10.00 - 16.00
Thu 10.00 - 16.00
Fri 10.00 - 16.00
Sat 10.00 - 16.00
Sun 10.00 - 16.00
Religious offices
Description
The church and its surrounding churchyard wall have been protected monuments since 1971. From the original early-Gothic church, only the 13th century tower remains. This church was destroyed in 1578 and was only rebuilt in 1728.
Within the church we can see the memorial escutcheons of the Lalaing family. Their castle, surrounded by a lake (‘Hof van Lier’), is situated near the church. A tombstone (1789) also bears reference to them. Another tombstone refers to their ancestors, the d’Enghien (van Edingen) family, who lived around 1514/1540. The Count of Lalaing painted the scene ‘Flight into Egypt’ in 1913.
The statue on the right side altar is that of Saint Lambert of Liege (18th century). The main altar was made in 1842. The paneling in the choir and the nave, as well as the pulpit, date back to the 18th century.
The Rococo communion pews (18th century) were partly converted into an altar. Make sure to have a look at the four baroque confessionals, which stem from the same period. The stone font dates back to the 17th century. All other components of the church’s interior were made in the 19th and 20th century. The organ was recently restored.
KIKIRPA : Photo-library online
Photos
Remarkable elements
Organ
The organ of the church is protected as a monument. The rood screen with organ case was designed by J.J. Delhaye.
Stations of the Cross
The fourteen stations of the cross on canvas were painted by the well-known painter Jan De Cooman from Zandbergen (°04/08/1893 - † 11/06/1949). Initially he painted mainly portraits and interiors, but throughout his life he would draw, especially landscapes. Later on he became especially famous for his beautiful pen drawings and etchings of the Oudenberglandschappen and the Dendervallei.
Pulpit and confessionals
The oak pulpit dates from the 18th century. Under the bowl is the statue of Saint Barbara, who was beheaded by her father because she converted to Christianity. A medallion of Our Lady with Child adorns the pulpit shell.
The church contains four confessionals from the 1st half 18th century, made by Roosen from Denderleeuw. One of the four is decorated with two cherubs and is crowned with the coat of arms of Henricus Josephus 't Kint de Roodenbeke.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator
Stained glass windows
One window contains the coat of arms of F. de Lalaing surrounded by 23 quarters and dates from the 19th century. The other window dates from 1729 and is decorated with the coat of arms of Henricus Josephus 't Kint de Roodenbeke.
Main altar
The main altar is a porch altar made of marbled and painted wood from 1842 by Loitier. On the table are reliefs with the Message of the Angel Gabriel to Mary, Calvary of the Holy Women and Coronation of Mary in heaven by the Holy Trinity. The tabernacle shows the Triangle with the eye of God and the host bearing chalice.
The porch contains a painting depicting the Assumption of Mary. The painting is flanked by two statues: on the left the statue of St. Hearts of Jesus and on the right the statue of the Sacred Heart of Mary.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator
The escape to Egypt', painting on canvas (1913)
The painting is by Count Jacques de Lalaing (London 1858 - Brussels 1917).
