Village with St. Martin's Church and the cemetery

A bishop's document shows that there was already a small church in Sint-Martens-Latem before 1121. The Romanesque original form of the building suggests that the old church had already been erected in stone. Since the church is located on the bank of the Leie, the Tournai limestone could be easily transported via the Scheldt and the Leie.
In 1771, the church was thoroughly renovated: it was lengthened by half, and the transepts and the crossing arch were widened. However, the shaky tower was threatening to collapse, so it was demolished and replaced by the current tower.
A final major renovation took place at the end of the 19th century, giving the church its current appearance: a neo-Gothic hall church with three equal aisles. In the choir and transept, the old construction has been best preserved. In 1987, the church was painted white.
In the cemetery lie the graves of painter Albijn Van den Abeele (1835-1918) and sculptor baron George Minne (1866-1941).
In the church, the woodcarving of the 15th-century altar stands out; it depicts the visit of Mary to Elizabeth. The pulpit and confessional are 18th-century Rococo works by Ghent artist Jacobus Martens. Additionally, contemporary art is also present: the stained glass and the paintings. Among others, Gustav Van de Woestijne is represented with a painting of Mary giving the rosary to Saint Dominic (1900).

Luc Desmet