Sint-Petrus en Paulus
Sint-Petrus en Paulusplein
8400 Oostende
Church | XIX-XX | Neogothic | Roman Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 January - 31 December
Mon 9.00 - 12.00 • 15.00 - 17.00
Tue 9.00 - 12.00 • 15.00 - 17.00
Wed 9.00 - 12.00 • 15.00 - 17.00
Thu 9.00 - 12.00 • 15.00 - 17.00
Fri 9.00 - 12.00 • 15.00 - 17.00
Sat 9.00 - 12.00 • 15.00 - 17.00
Sun 9.00 - 12.00 • 15.00 - 17.00
Guided tour
+32 59 70 17 19
Religious offices
Sunday : 10 am and 5 pm
Website of the Deanery
Description
This Neo-Gothic church in the town centre of Ostend replaced the Saint-Peter’s church that burned down in 1896 and of which only the nearby brick tower remains (called the ‘Peperbusse’)
The new church was a project of prestige by king Leopold III, who was so enthusiastic that he was suspected of setting fire to the original church himself. Architect Louis Delacenserie from Bruges was inspired by the ‘ideal’ building plan for a cathedral, such as that of the Cologne Cathedral and the Votive Church in Vienna. The church is oriented to the West. King Leopold placed the first stone in 1901. During both World Wars the building suffered great damage.
In between the two doors of the entrance stands a statue of Mary with baby Jesus. To the right and left of the entrance stand the patron saints of the church, Peter and Paul.
Behind the choir we can find the Queen’s Chapel with the white-and-green marble tomb of queen Louise-Marie (1812-1850), spouse to Leopold I. On the outside this chapel is richly decorated with gargoyles and sculptures of canonized queens. Within, visitors are greeted by two polychrome stone statues of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. The windows refer to kingship and Christ.
The windows in the church tell the history of Ostend and depict the apostles, historical figures, saints of the region and Biblical scenes. The church treasure includes silver objects and embroidered garments. On the windows of the southern transept we can see among others the representation of the Belgian monarchs and queen Louise-Marie.
The interior shows Neo-Gothic elements. The church possesses stone statues of the Evangelists (P. Breacke), a white stone cloister in bas-relief (J. Gerrits), oak choir stalls, stone communion rails, a marble pulpit, confessionals made of oak and blue freestone, and a copper font. In the northern transept a big engraved copper plate can be found, in memory of war victims.
Sources :
Inventaris voor het Onroerend Erfgoed, https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be
‘Sint-Petrus- en –Pauluskerk’, Stad Oostende, www.oostende.be
Photos
Media
Remarkable elements
Church building
King Leopold wanted to reverse the orientation of the building so that the monumental front facade of the church could be admired from the town of Ostend. The 72m high steeples are almost identical, apart from the sound holes in walls. Next to the main entrance is a “touch church” for the visually impaired to feel and picture the rich decorations of the neo-gothic church, its railings and gargoyles.Stained glass windows
In powerful colours, Michel Maertens depicts: the Creation, the prophets, the apostles, the evangelists and fragments of the gospels, the eastern and western Church Fathers, the Adoration of the Holy Mary and the history of Ostend. Colours and bright sunlight can set the church ablaze. The rosette window above the organ throws the sunlight directly on the congregation during mass on Sunday mornings 10 am.Organs
The organ from 1907 by Mr. Schyven in romantic style counts 40 registers. After World War II it was severely damaged. The most recent restoration which ended in 1999 restored it in the original style and the organ now has 43 registers. A new neo-gothic organ casing was added. The other organ dates from 2004 and was built by the Manufacture d’orgues Thomas, from Francorchamp. It has two keyboards, an independent pedal and 11 registers. It is inspired byh the work of Gottfried Silbermann, contemporary of J.S. Bach.Pulpit
This marble pulpit is decorated with 4 reliefs, scenes from the lives of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. It also shows the 4 evangelists. A special feature is the little monk on the top of the bannister.Chapel with tomb
Behind the cast iron gate is the staircase to the chapel with the tomb of Louise-Marie of Orléans, first queen of Belgium. The sculpture at the feet of the queen symbolizes the town of Ostend in mourning. The stained glass windows here display scenes representing the royal function. Just outside the chapel 4 sculptures depict 4 famour queens.Exhibition: on the right next to the entrance door
Here we find several remarkable pieces representing the history of the church:
- From the old church, the current “Peperbusse” (pepper shaker): the altar Cross and the Monstrance
- Beautifully decorated missals
- Photo’s of the fire destroying the old church and the erection and inauguration of the new church in 1905
- Restored stained glass windows from the old church, mahogany sculptures and elements referring to the benediction of the sea
