Our Lady of Comfort Church

In popular terms also known as Boskapel. Built by L. Maertens-Pelckmans, resident of the nearby "Goed ten Broeke," in 1855-56 according to the design of architect J. Dauchot. The parish of Wippelgem was established as an independent parish church by royal decree on September 26, 1907. The church is flanked by chapels of Saint Anthony the Hermit (left) from 1894 and of Saint Apollonia from 1893 (see date stones in the rear facade) with beautiful saint sculptures on a small altar. Brick hall church of six bays with square south tower and flat-ended choir to the north and sacristies. Simple church with neoclassical pilaster facade topped with an attic and triangular pediment. Round arch door in rectangular frame and above it a round arched niche with a statue of Our Lady. The facade stones next to the door read "Antonius Episcopus Gandavensis consecravit 16 julli 1906" and "Ludov. Maertens-Pelckmans aedificavit A° MDCCCLVI." Square bell tower with sandstone blocks under a slate spire. Simple round-arched windows in side walls, a station road with the life of Saint Anthony, painted on canvas by Verwilghen in 1896, under a small canopy. Blind choir closure with a covered crucifix by Mathias Zens from 1897 and a façade stone mentioning "Luds. Jos. Episcs. posuit 26 junii 1856."

Interior. A single-nave ship vaulted with a brick barrel vault with sandstone belt arches, resting on pilasters; renewed in 1923.

Furnishings. Paintings: seven panel paintings depicting the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady by J. Van der Plaetsen and son, 1857-58. Sculptures: three wooden saint statues by J.G. De Rycke (third quarter of the 19th century). Oak choir stalls from the second half of the 19th century. Oak 19th-century pulpit and two confessionals. Organ by L. Lovaert from 1865, modified by L. Daem in 1938 and by Loncke in 1970, organ case almost completely renewed. Neo-Gothic granite baptismal font from 1872 with a copper cover from 1908. Two stained glass windows in the choir by Van Crombrugghe from 1899 and twelve stained glass windows in the bell tower by H. Coppejans from 1932. On canvas painted Stations of the Cross originating from the Saint James Church in Ghent, repainted by H. Verwilghen in 1895.

Onroerend Erfgoed Vlaanderen