Church of Sint-Vedastus in Reningelst (Poperinge) - Discover this open and welcoming religious building

Church | XII-XVI | Romanesque, Gothic | Catholic Church

Disabled access Parking space

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

Religious offices

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Description

The parish church of Saint Vedaste was originally Romanesque but was changed to a late Gothic market hall style with three naves in 1500.It was badly damaged in a fire started by the Gueux. The hexagonal turret with a staircase dates from 1754. The whole building was enlarged in the 19th century and renovated after WWI.

The altar dedicated to Saint Joseph and a side altar in painted wood and marble (18th century) are noteworthy. The church has two confessionals, a communion table with a depiction of the Eucharist, a monogram of the Virgin (1749) and 17th century baptismal fonts. There are also marble tombstones near the columns of the transept, and a number of paintings and sculptures among which are Saint Joseph with the Child and a bust of Saint Vedaste (both 18th century).

For history lovers, the plaques commemorating the murder of the priests by iconoclasts in 1567 are interesting.

On the west side of the church stands an 18th century Calvary with its crucified Christ.

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Remarkable elements

Baptistry and marble font

The marble font dates from the 17th century. The chapel is enclosed by an 18th century oak railing. The painting of Saint Sebastian pierced by arrows, by Desrumeaut, dates from 1695.

Pulpit

A carving on the inside of the staircase gives the date of this rococo pulpit as 1769. In 1837 the pulpit body was made bigger in the same style as the panellling. In 2009 the structure was thoroughly restored.

Commemoration stone

Commemoration stone of three priests-martyrs and the list of pastors of Reningelst since 1568. On January 12th, 1568, the priest, the chaplain and the verger of Renigelst were murdered by rebel nonbelievers. Their bodies are buried in the church. Excavations in 1923, commissioned by pastor Gustaaf Lamerant, revealed human remains, probably of the three martyrs. Fragments of the bones have been put in a frame on the wall.

Tombstone of the family Bulteel, rulers of Renigelst in the 18th century

The earliest mention of Renigelst dates from the Middle Ages. It was a parish and part of a manor. In the 12th century the family of Renigelst built a castle to protect the feudal community. It had reinforced walls with spy holes and was surrounded by a moat with drawbridge. French troops invaded at the end of the 18th century and their general Dominique Vandamme ordered the castle to be burned down.

Confessionals, communion rail and panelling

The panelling and confessionals date from 1765-1768. The top of the panelling is decorated with sculpted children’s heads. Each figure faces a different direction and has a different expression.

Organ loft and organ

The organ loft and panelling at the back of the church date from 1788 and clearly contain other scenes than the rest of the panelling. Organ and organ casing date from 1780 and were built by the comapny Vanderhaeghe from Lille. In 1885 it was reconstructed by Forrest and after World Worl I restored to its original state by Anneessens. The organ has not been used since 2010 and is in need of urgent repair.