Church of Onze-Lieve-Vrouw in Nieuwkerke (Heuvelland) - Discover this open and welcoming religious building

Church | XX | | Catholic Church

Disabled access Parking space Organ

Map

Opening hours

01 January - 31 December
Mon 10.00 - 17.00
Tue 10.00 - 17.00
Wed 10.00 - 17.00
Thu 10.00 - 17.00
Fri 10.00 - 17.00
Sat 10.00 - 17.00
Sun 10.00 - 17.00

Religious offices

Kerknet

Description

Nieuwkerke is an ancient commune on the roman road Belle- Wervik and in 1105 was already known as “Nova Ecclesia” (New Church).In 1080 a Romanesque church was opened on the site of an ancient chapel by the monks of Sint-Jan –ter-Berghe. This church was destroyed and rebuilt several times. Thus, in the 16th century it was changed to a late gothic building but this, unfortunately, was severely damaged, apart from the south west façade, during the First World War.

The present church with its three naves was built in 1922-23 in Neo-Romanesque style by Joseph Viérin.
Inside are several treasures; a statue of Christ on the Cross (1600), a Stations of the Cross by C Vallaeys (1923) and stained glass windows that commemorate the murder of three priests at Reningelst.
Every quarter of an hour the sound of four small bells of the carillon ring out.

The church council produced a very interesting illustrated brochure in 2003.

KIKIRPA : Photo-library online

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Remarkable elements

Stained-glass window in the sanctuary

In the middle of the stained-glass window the patron saint of the church can be seen: Our Lady Queen of Heaven. To the left: the pastor at the time, A. Six (1920) and sextons Raphaël. To the right: an angel with the weapon of Nieuwkerke and a young family. At the bottom of the scene a text that says ‘Our Lady, patroness of West-Nieuwkerke, b.v.o. At the top two angels with text rolls are displayed: ‘Holy Mary, to you this church, risen for the second time.’ The weapon is of Pope Pius XI.

Stained-glass window side aisle

The stained-glass window shows the murder on the three priests of Reningelst (1568). Beneath this scene the weapons of Dranouter and Nieuwkerke can be seen with, at the top, an angel with a text scroll. The palms beneath the angels symbolize the triumphal entry.

Baptismal font

Octagonal, made out of belgian bluestone, with a heavy copper lid.

Main altar

The stone part is resting on three polished Belgian bluestone steps. Between the columns biblical scenes are seen: To the left: the sacrificing of the bread and wine by Melchizedek. In the middle: Mozes and the manna in the desert. To the right: the sacrifice of Abraham. On the base for candles on the high altar: 'Calicem salutaris accipiam, et nomen Domini invocabo’. (The chalice of hail I shall take and call upon the name of The Lord.) Above it a wooden retable can be seen.

The pulpit

The enclosed platform and feet of the pulpit are hexagonal. On one of the five panels of the enclosed platform a teaching Jesus can be seen holding a book with alpha and omega on it. The other four panels depict the four evangelists with a text scroll and a symbol. Matthew with an angel, Marcus with a lion, Johannes with an eagle, Lucas with a bull.

The confessional box

The confessional box on the southern wall is decorated with gothic panels. On the swinging doors openwork bows and a Christ- and Mary monogram are depicted. Left, a statue of the Holy Petrus with a book, keys and a crowing rooster can be seen. To the right: The Holy Mary Magdalene with a jar of balsam oil. Both refer to the repentance about sinning.