Saint Martinus

First mentioned in 1140. The church, rebuilt at the end of the 15th century, was largely destroyed by iconoclasts in the second half of the 17th century. Reconstruction of the three-aisle church in 1616 by Jan and Robrecht Persyns. Re-dedication by Bishop Triest. Tower restored in the mid-18th century by master builder David 't Kindt. Construction of a new sacristy (south side) according to the design of master builder Simoens in 1770 on behalf of Abbot Gudwalus Seiger of the Saint Peter's Abbey, tithing collector of the parish. In 1788, the church was enlarged by three bays to the west with an integrated tower and choir. In 1822, the choir was rebuilt by architect J.B. Van de Cappelle. Major restoration and adaptation in neo-Gothic style in 1896-97 according to the design of architect Jules Goethals, including the addition of a portal, side chapels and transept, and the renewal of the tracery of the windows. Constructed from brick and hard stone. Three-aisled basilica church with a nave of five bays, a west tower, and polygonal side chapels, a double transept of one bay, and a flat-ended choir with two side chapels, a straight apse, and a sacristy to the south. West facade: gable with a tall pointed arch-shaped portal from 1896 with a polygonal stair turret under a slate spire next to it on the right. Square west tower with pointed arch bell openings and a round clock. Later added gables with pointed arch windows in the side aisles and transept. Windows with neo-Gothic tracery from 1896.

Onroerend Erfgoed Vlaanderen