Probably the successor to earlier sanctuaries, a large church was built on the Grand Place at the end of the 14th century, dominating the entire Flemish plain. The white-brick tower, nicknamed "Witte torre" (the white tower), was built in 1513. Its octagonal spire rises to a height of 82 meters. The tower is the only original vestige of the building, which was damaged by fire in July 1582 during religious unrest. Between 1602 and 1620, the church was rebuilt in the style of a three-vessel "hall church" (hallekerke), while partially retaining the transept.
The building is richly furnished, mainly in oak, with confessionals (18th century), pulpit (18th century), stalls (17th century), communion bench (18th century), communion table (18th and 19th centuries) and organ case with tribune (Louis XV and Renaissance style, dating from the 17th and 18th centuries). The organ was rebuilt by Pierre Van Brouckorst, a French sculptor. In the center is a statue of Sainte Cécile, the patron saint of musicians).
Other church treasures include the altarpiece of Saint Sebastian, the altar of the Sacred Heart, stained-glass windows and the tombstone in the choir of Baron Jacques Coppens, lord of the town, and his wife Marie Bart, niece of Dunkirk privateer Jean Bart.
Visit by reservation at the tourist office - Duration: 1h
The building is richly furnished, mainly in oak, with confessionals (18th century), pulpit (18th century), stalls (17th century), communion bench (18th century), communion table (18th and 19th centuries) and organ case with tribune (Louis XV and Renaissance style, dating from the 17th and 18th centuries). The organ was rebuilt by Pierre Van Brouckorst, a French sculptor. In the center is a statue of Sainte Cécile, the patron saint of musicians).
Other church treasures include the altarpiece of Saint Sebastian, the altar of the Sacred Heart, stained-glass windows and the tombstone in the choir of Baron Jacques Coppens, lord of the town, and his wife Marie Bart, niece of Dunkirk privateer Jean Bart.
Visit by reservation at the tourist office - Duration: 1h
