Sint-Petrus en Pauluskerk

This Neo-Gothic church in the town centre of Ostend replaced the Saint-Peter’s church that burned down in 1896 and of which only the nearby brick tower remains (called the ‘Peperbusse’)
The new church was a project of prestige by king Leopold III, who was so enthusiastic that he was suspected of setting fire to the original church himself. Architect Louis Delacenserie from Bruges was inspired by the ‘ideal’ building plan for a cathedral, such as that of the Cologne Cathedral and the Votive Church in Vienna. The church is oriented to the West. King Leopold placed the first stone in 1901. During both World Wars the building suffered great damage.
Behind the choir we can find the Queen’s Chapel with the white-and-green marble tomb of queen Louise-Marie (1812-1850), spouse to Leopold I. On the outside this chapel is richly decorated with gargoyles and sculptures of canonized queens. Within, visitors are greeted by two polychrome stone statues of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. The windows refer to kingship and Christ.
The windows in the church tell the history of Ostend and depict the apostles, historical figures, saints of the region and Biblical scenes. On the windows of the southern transept we can see among others the representation of the Belgian monarchs and queen Louise-Marie.
The interior shows Neo-Gothic elements. 

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