Parish church of Saint Amandus

Parish church of Saint Amandus. East-facing church planted on the north side of the village square, formerly located within walled cemetery, surrounded by a lawn since 1973. Built to replace the old St. Lawrence Chapel (foundation year unknown), restored and consecrated circa 1350. In 1578, after the demolition of the Sint-Amandus chapel, which served as a parish church, in the Sint-Annahospitaal near the Spitaalpoort, the Sint-Laurentius chapel was designated as a replacement parish church of Oostakker. Since then placed under the patronage of Saint Amandus. After its temporary use for Calvinist worship, it was rededicated and restored (1602). This was followed by several major renovation and enlargement works: circa 1615, the sacristy in 1623, further work in 1724. Tower renewed in 1717. Choir moved further east in 1816. Aisles and sacristy of 1823. Enlargement works of 1866 designed by architect E. Van Hoecke-Peeters. Repairs to the interior followed in 1885- 1886. Another mention of major repairs in 1890 to a design by architect H. Geirnaert. After the bombing of 1917, only the tower remained standing. This was followed by the reconstruction of the church (with the exception of the preserved tower) carried out in 1924-25 to a design by architect A. Poppe, who based himself on the foundations found. After the shelling of 1940, the vaults and roof had to be renewed, as well as parts of the masonry, including the southwestern side with sacristy. The tower, undamaged by the wars, was restored in 1966 under the direction of architect A. Bracke.

Onroerend Erfgoed Vlaanderen