POI

Parish church of the district of Overbeke. Set on a rectangular plot between three streets: Spinnerijstraat (left) and Kapellewegel and Bovenboekakker (right).
Through the efforts of dean C. Noterman and with financial assistance from benefactors in the municipality, a new parish was established in the working-class neighborhood of Overbeke, and a new parish church was built. Names and dates are mentioned on the memorial stone on the church's facade. The nearby and concurrently established rectory is located at Kapellewegel no. 1-1A.
The cornerstone was laid on May 6, 1928, completed in 1929, and consecrated on October 13, 1929. Consecration by Monsignor Coppieters in 1938. Designed by architect Nicolaas Van Campenhout (IJzeringen). The original interior finishing was done by Adrien Bressers (Ghent). In 1934, all windows were renewed with yellow and green panes by Bressers.
Modern brick church. South-oriented single-nave church without a transept, comprising eight bays with a square tower to the north and a flat closed choir, flanked by sacristies under a flat roof. Red brick construction on a plinth of broken stone, under a gabled roof (slate). The façade facing north features an embedded square tower with an elongated rectangular window and above it a narrow triple-light, rectangular bell openings, and a tower clock beneath the spire (slate) topped with a cross and weather vane. To its left, a pentagonally projected baptismal chapel. On the north façade, a slightly protruding portal with a recessed rectangular door framed in bluestone. The façades are rhythmically punctuated by sloping buttresses and illuminated by rectangular windows, paired two by two, with a high rectangular window raised in pointed gable in the third and sixth bays. The flat closed choir hosts a concrete crucifix by Bressers, with a white stone Christ placed in 1937.
Interior. Large single-nave space vaulted by a high barrel vault supported by curved buttresses. Simple wall finishing (plastered and painted), previously adorned with murals and ceramic tiles. The interior was thoroughly renovated in the 1965s under the guidance of architect Bressers (Ghent).
Furnishings. Iron crucifix from 1937 in the choir. Built-in tomb of Saint Therese on the east side. Altars in black marble by Bressers; main altar dedicated to Christ the King from 1936, side altars dedicated to Our Lady of La Salette and Saint Therese from 1937. Communion rail from 1938. Organ on the loft inaugurated on September 20, 1931, by the house of Jules Anneessens-Tanghe (Menin).

Author: Foundation Open Churches

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