St. Vincent's Church

The Saint Vincent Church is a former chapter church and the current Roman Catholic parish church of Zinnik in the Belgian province of Hainaut. There was probably already a place of worship at the location of the current church under the Merovingians. The church was destroyed by the Normans and was restored at the request of the Archbishop of Cologne, Bruno the Great, before 957. In the 12th century, the chapter obtained an agreement with the Abbey of Cambrom regarding the collection of tithes. In 1121, William of Auxonne, the Bishop of Cambrai, gave his episcopal approval for the canonical election of the provost. Two years later, the chapter became fully exempt, which quickly strengthened its position. The canons enjoyed a substantial prebend until the French Revolution. To safeguard their feudal rights, the chapter appointed a bailiff who could administer justice in Zinnik. Additionally, they also received donations: Albert and Isabella donated 500 pounds Flemish to the chapter. Significant relics were also donated; an inventory mentions a relic given by Baldwin of Constantinople. Alongside precious metalwork, there is also a chasuble preserved that was donated by Empress Maria Theresa of Austria and another example from Philip II of Spain. The chapter took care of the religious life in Zinnik, which mainly consisted of the veneration of Saint Vincent: an annual grand procession was held in memory of the Translatio of Saint Vincent in 875. A remarkable custom was upheld by the chapter; on the feast of the Holy Innocents, the canons would give up their place to boys, who sang the office.

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