Saint Amandus

Theophiel Toyeplein no. Parochial Church of Saint Amandus Modern church characterized by Gothic-inspired forms. The current church, built in 1938, replaces the old predominantly 16th-century late Gothic hall church. Only the octagonal Gothic tower and the Romanesque tower base in Tournai stone, along with part of the furnishings, have been preserved. Lightly elevated placement and partially walled. Monumental bluestone staircase leads to the portal. The place of worship was designed by Alfred Boosten (Netherlands) and Jan Reyntjens (Zwevegem). Yellow brick construction under slate tiles. Blocked natural stone base. Wide central nave; narrow southern aisle consisting of various transversely placed side chapels; narrow northern aisle; southern transept; five-sided choir. Broad west gable with large rose window marked by projecting lower west portal characterized by striking gallery. Pointed arched door. Southeast embedded octagonal Gothic tower under slate spire with clock. Transverse chapels with gabled ends rhythmically arranged by pointed arched three-light windows and buttresses. Facade of the southern aisle rhythmically arranged by lancet windows. Interior. Plastered and painted interior. Central and side naves rhythmically arranged by pointed arched arcades. Vaulting through concrete pointed arches. Choir and central nave separated by a ribbed arch. Cement tile floor. Pedestal of glazed brick on a base of dark brick in stretcher bond. Floor of cement tiles. Elevated choir with brick choir enclosure Choir ambulatory. To the south a week chapel. Furnishings. Beautiful contemporary confessionals, altar table, and cathedra. Marble holy water fonts. In the northern and southern side chapels, integrated neo-Gothic Stations of the Cross from 1905 by Aloïs De Beule (Ghent). 17th-century southern side altar dedicated to St. Amandus, 19th-century altar table, entirely in marbled wood. Northern side altar dedicated to Our Lady, also in marbled wood. Various wooden polychrome saint statues in the southern aisle: St. Barbara, St. Catherine, St. Dominic, St. Roch, and St. Eloi. In the week chapel, partially preserved 18th-century furnishings: oak confessional from around 1750 by Fransiscus Adins (?), largely a copy of the previous one; pulpit bowl with busts of the Evangelists. In the southern chapel, oak communion bench from around 1700, decorated with musical instruments. Circular stained glass windows by J. Huet from around 1938. Organ donated by Pastor C.V. Rogez in 1887 and modified after 1938. DESPRIET P., The Saint Amandus Church in Zwevegem, in The South-West Flanders Parish Churches, Kortrijk, 1983, p. 447-463. FIRMIN, The Romanesque Church Architecture in West Flanders, s.l., 1940, p. 204-209. ROOSE-MEIER B., VERSCHRAEGEN H., Photo repository of the furnishings of the Belgian places of worship, Province of West Flanders, Canton Kortrijk II, Brussels, 1979, p. 56-59.

Onroerend Erfgoed Vlaanderen