Saint Michael
Sint-Michielsplein
8800 Roeselare
Church | XV-XVI | Gothic | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 January - 31 December
Mon 9.00 - 11.00
Tue 9.00 - 11.00
Wed 9.00 - 11.00
Thu 9.00 - 11.00
Fri 9.00 - 11.00
Sat -
Sun -
01 July - 31 August
Mon 14.30 - 16.30
Tue 14.30 - 16.30
Wed 14.30 - 16.30
Thu 14.30 - 16.30
Fri 14.30 - 16.30
Sat -
Sun 14.30 - 16.30
Guided tour
+32 51 26 96 00 
- www.toerismeroeselare.be
toerisme@roeselare.be - gidsenroeselare@gmail.com
Religious offices
Description
The original church dating from the Middle Ages was destroyed by a fire in 1488. It was rebuilt in late gothic style at the end of the 15th century by Filips van Kleef, the lord of Roulers. Its spire was blown down by the wind in 1735 and replaced with a bell shaped roof.
From the top of the tower there is a beautiful view extending from Mount Kemmel to the Yser tower. In the tower there is a museum of bells, a very fine clock and, high above, a carillon of 49 bells, the pride of the Guild of Bell-ringers.
Inside, there are important works of art: the baroque 17th century pulpit depicts the biblical story of Naboth’s vineyard. There are also noteworthy wooden sculptures and paintings by Jacob van Dost, Jan Janssens,Otto Venius the school of Vaan Dijk, Bernard Mioen, Desiré Mergaert and Ferdinand Callebert.The church also has one of the largest organs of West Flanders.
Photos
Media
Remarkable elements
Pulpit
Pulpit: pearl of pure seventeenth century Baroque On the pulpit, the story of the vineyard of Naboth is depicted. Naboth refuses to sell his vineyard to king Ahab. Ahab, provoked by his wife Jezebel, has Naboth killed. In front view at the right side one can see king Ahab with crown and wide king’s mantle. On the left side, prophet Elijah stands with a flaming sword in his hand. Do mind the bunch of grapes that look so delicious that you would want to eat them. The tub of the pulpit is decorated with medallions and represent the Carmelites, defenders of the “Free Word of God” after the example of the prophet Elijah. Look at the panel on the pillar next to the pulpit.
Seventeenth century paintings
The church holds some paintings of high quality by an unknown master. Right side aisle: apostle Peter with key. Left side aisle: apostle Paul with sword. The characters painted with strong brush strokes seem to be coming out of the painting.
Holy Heart chapel that is being used as an oratory
The stained-glass windows in the chapel are dedicated to the honouring of the Holy Heart of Jesus. They are made in neogothic style with exceptionally high quality with deep bright colours like the stained-glass windows in high gothic style. They were made in the beginning of the 19th century, a time of great social conflicts, in which the Church stood up for social injustice: encyclicals RERUM NOVARUM (1891), later called Quadragesimo Anno (1931).In that time, there was also an exceptional honouring of the Holy Heart. The heart of Jesus represented a stronghold, a sanctuary for the faithful from the antireligious outside world of that time.
