Saint Martin's Church

Saint Martin's Church (Haringe)

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Saint Martin's Church

The Saint Martin's Church is the parish church of the locality Haringe, which belongs to the municipality of Poperinge in West Flanders, located at Haringe Square.

History[edit | edit source]

The church was originally dependent on the Abbey of Saint Augustine in Terwaan. It is believed that after the fire of 1071 a Romanesque church building was established. It concerned a basilica-style cross church. The bell tower of the current church is a remnant of this building.

There was also a church fire in 1123 and 1297. Around 1304 the church was rebuilt again. After the Iconoclasm, the church was significantly rebuilt again, specifically from 1591-1600. Thus, a brick late Gothic church was created. At that time, the crossing tower was raised with a bell level. A sacristy was added in 1853.

Building[edit | edit source]

This is a three-nave hall church with a transept. The main choir and side choirs each have a three-sided choir closure. The tower is made of iron sandstone. It has a square floor plan. In front of the choir is a crypt from around 1000.

Interior[edit | edit source]

The interior mainly dates from the late Baroque period.

Two paintings from 1771-1772 were created by Desremaux, namely: Guardian Angel accompanying a child on their path through life and The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa of Ávila. From the 17th century is a Descent from the Cross, after a work by Peter Paul Rubens.

A Christ on the cold stone was made in polychrome wood in 1669. Other figures include an Augustine of Hippo, Catherine of Siena, Thomas Aquinas, Eligius, and Saint Nicholas of Myra (all from the 18th century). A Peter and an Andrew are from around 1725. From 1749 is a Dominicus Guzman. A Barbara from around 1700 and a Our Lady of Sorrows are from the 18th century. An Apollonia, a Rochus of Montpellier, and an Ambrose of Milan are from around 1700.

The main altar, dedicated to Saint Martin, is from 1758. The northern side altar, dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, and the southern side altar, dedicated to the Holy Cross, are from around 1700. There are two confessionals from the early 18th century, a communion rail from 1775, choir stalls from 1782, doors (16th and 18th centuries), a balustrade of the chancel (1778), and a font (1778).

The organ is from 1778, executed in Louis XV style by Lambert-Benoît Van Peteghem.

Sources, notes, and/or references

Inventory of Immovable Heritage

SOURCE: Saint Martin's Church (Haringe) - Wikipedia

Joris Broché