Sint-Blasius

Charming country church with a walled graveyard in a protected village
The neoclassical Saint Blasius Church is located in conservation area. It is surrounded by a cemetery where the toads are bordered with pollarded linden trees. At the cemetery, seven British soldiers are buried. It forms an atmospheric ensemble enclosed by a whitewashed cemetery wall and wrought iron gates.
The village and the oratory of St. Blasius as the patron saint are already mentioned in 988. Archaeological research confirmed that the unsightly untouched polder village Vlissegem is one of the oldest settlements on the coast.
In the 13th - 14th century the primitive wooden church was replaced by a Gothic hall-church. This church was severely damaged during the Geuze Time (1566 - 1585) and was only partially restored due to a lack of money. By the end of 1788 the church was in such a poor building condition that the construction of a new parish church was decided. Only in 1834   the work was completed. Since then, the village owns this three-aisled church with west tower.
The sober neoclassical interior is plastered, painted white and arched by a barrel vault.
A few valuable 17th- and 18th-century paintings and sculptures are preserved in the church. Most of the furniture dates back to the 18th century.
In the tourist information offices there is a brochure available called "The Holy Blasius Church of Vlissegem, a charming country church". 

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