Saint Gertrude
Markt 23
9230 Wetteren
Church | 1865 | Neogothic | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 January - 31 December
Mon 9.00 - 16.00
Tue 9.00 - 16.00
Wed 9.00 - 16.00
Thu 9.00 - 16.00
Fri 9.00 - 16.00
Sat 9.00 - 16.00
Sun 9.00 - 16.00
Guided tour
Toerisme Wetteren +32 9 366 31 04
Religious offices
Description
The ancient 12th /13th century church had been demolished and in 1866 the new church was inaugurated with the addition of two lateral naves, a high central nave and a west tower.
A line of columns decorated with statues of the apostles separates the central nave from the lateral ones .The eclectic style combines Romanesque, Gothic and Byzantine elements. Adornment is Neo-Gothic.
The church has paintings from artists such as J Pauwels “Christ dead on his mother’s knees”, Bertolotti “the Assumption”, J B Paggi” Christ, the apostles and Saint Bernard” and one attributed to Hugo Van der Goes “Saint Gregory’s miraculous mass”. The church’s patron saint, Gertrude of Nivelles is depicted in two paintings by Riemaecker and on the baptismal fonts, where she is shown with her sister Begga and her cousin Vulfetrude.
Noteworthy are the master altar and its altar piece and the restored organ case. The statues, chandeliers and stoups are from, the old Romanesque church and worth seeing.
Permanent exhibition : 130 figures were exhibited with the original costumes of 130 different sister congregations, working in Belgium.
The costumes, from before the 2nd Vatican Council, are made by the sisters themselves with the original fabrics of their daily habit.
Photos
Remarkable elements
High Altar
This altar is richly decorated in round-arch style and intense polychrome colors. It was finished in 1877 in the workplace of Dumon (Bruges). The imposing altar piece dedicated to the Sacred Heart consists of several scenes with, among others, the mission of the Apostles, the Last Supper and the Adoration of the Magi.
Patron Saint Gertrude
Saint Gertrude is represented in an altar (left aisle), a painting (left aisle) and on the pulpit. The popular devotion to Saint Gertrude was first described in 1637 by abbot G. Van Ryckel. She was worshipped in Wetteren to cure fevers, whereby spring water from the garden of the presbytery, blessed in the church, was drunk and/or taken home. St. Gertrude was also called on to chase away rats and mice.
Pulpit
The 18th century pulpit was brought here from the original romanesque church which stood in the centre of the village square. The figures, including St. Gertrudis and angels, support the body of the pulpit, which is richly decorated with flower and leaf patterns, winged angel heads and relief images of Church Fathers.
Star vaulted roof
The current church of St. Gertrudis was inaugurated by Mgr. Braq in 1866. The architect Louis Minard (Ghent) used an eclectic mix of different styles. A typical feature of the mix was the round-arch style with romanesque and byzantine influences, whereby in the interior the accent is put on neo gothic style and a free interpretation of gothic elements. The round ogive vaults were replaced by a star vaulted roof above the chancel.
Miraculous mass
The painting “miraculous mass of Saint Gregorius” (ca. 1480) is traditionally attributed to the 15th century painter Hugo Van der Goes and was donated by Hippoliet Vilain XIII in 1841 on the occasion of his marriage to baroness Sidonie Dubois. The painting is supposed to come from the Red Monastery in Oudergem (Tervuren) where Hugo Van der Goes spent the last years of his life.
Stations of the Cross
In 1908 the new neo gothic polychrome Stations of the Cross by Alois De Beule were placed in the church. Each Station carries a copper plate at the bottom with the name of the parishioner who paid for that particular Station.
Nearby
Circuit
Wetteren: Mysterious Religious
This cycle route will take you through a region that is steeped in mystery! In Wetteren, you may find out who stole the panel from the Righteous Judges. Or find it in the Bareldonk Chapel? You will also be treated to stories about witch trials, local mysteries and legends. In between, enjoy local produce such as the Lam Gods beer or the Toverheksje.
