Schipperskerkje

For many years, this building remained a mystery. Before the adjustment of the Escaut river's course, one found themselves here on the banks of the river. The inhabitants of the municipality of Leupegem therefore assumed it was a small church for sailors. However, proponents of the parish church theory doubt this, because the oldest church in Leupegem was located further north, across the Armenlos street. It was sold in 1828 and a new church was erected at the current site.

According to the latest discoveries, the Schipperskerkje may not be a church at all, but a ... lime barn. From the 17th century onwards, the place served to store lime, which was brought from the Tournai region and used for spreading on fields and in construction. The heavy buttresses on the sides of the building were meant to support the lateral pressure of the lime that was stored there.

In 1722, the year engraved on the façade, the building was used by Daniel Blommaert and J. Lestienne, two lime merchants from the Tournai region.

Stad Oudenaarde