Town hall of Oostkamp

Municipal Square No. 1. Town Hall of Oostkamp, built in 1882 in neo-Flemish Renaissance style according to the design plans of provincial architect René Buyck (1850-1923). History. Starting in 1870, ideas were maturing to create and beautify the then municipal square. As part of these works, it was decided to build a new town hall. The old town hall was located at the corner of the then road Bruges-Kortrijk and the one leading to Oedelem (cf. Brugsestraat No. 2). In 1879, the municipality conducted negotiations with Mrs. Schaeverbeke, who lived in the house on the corner with Major Wood Street (cf. Major Wood Street No. 2), regarding the distance of the land north of the house for the construction of the town hall. Provincial architect René Buyck (1850-1923) was consulted for the plans. On May 22, 1882, the works were put out to tender to Charles and Henri Demeyer from Oostkamp. The municipal government of Oostkamp took out a loan from the Charitable Board for the construction. The town hall was inaugurated in May 1883. Only after the inauguration would the interior be further finished. The furniture was made by the Bruges cabinetmaker Dumont. In 1884, the beams of the main hall (the Council Chamber) had to be reinforced with two iron beams, carried out by carpenter Irénée Lambert. In the same year, Buyck drafted plans for the construction of the fireplace in the council chamber, and in 1892, contractor-stonemason Augustin Van Keirsebilck from Bruges was commissioned by the municipal government to install the new fireplace. Around 1909, a gas pipe was laid in the town hall by the "Brugsche Gaz Compagnie." On September 19, 1910, the widow of former mayor Louis de Bie de Westvoorde (mayor from 1878 to 1904) donated a gas chandelier and two copper decorative pieces. This gas chandelier was hung in the council chamber of the town hall. In 1939, a portal was built in the hall of the town hall to limit heat loss. Under Mayor Claeys, in the 1950s, a series of stained-glass windows were installed in the staircase hall, made of antique glass based on designs by Bruges architect Goormachtigh. Description. Imposing wide building of nine bays and two stories, covered by a slate hipped roof. Anchored, orange brick construction adorned with the use of natural stone for the cross windows, the corner blocks, and the string courses. Base with decorative, horizontal lining formed by alternating rows of black and orange bricks. The central bays of the façade form a three-bay-wide risalite, bordered by natural stone corner chains and crowned with a stepped roof window with a bulbous crown. On the ground floor, a natural stone staircase with a black-painted metal railing. Arched entrance with a divided transom above and a panel above with the inscription "GEMEENTE/HUIS" (TOWN/HALL). On either side, year anchors "1882". Second floor with central balcony window between profiled framing, below the panel featuring the coat of arms of Oostkamp (specifically, a red field with a diagonal silver bar from the upper right to the lower left with six merlettes also in silver, three in chief and three in point). Flanking panels with year cartouches "ANNO" and "1882". Roof window under triangular pediment between two natural stone plates, with the coat of arms of Belgium on the left and that of the province of West Flanders on the right. Two small stepped roof windows with cross frames and openings. Interior. Marble memorial plaque by the staircase in the entrance: "ESTABLISHED IN 1882 UNDER THE REIGN OF KING LEOPOLD II MAYOR LODEWYK DE BIE DE WESTVOORDE (...) MASTER BUILDER RENÉ BUYCK." The decoration of the interior was only provided a few years later, so the wainscoting dates from 1893. Entrance hall with monumental, white stone fireplace featuring the central coat of arms of Oostkamp, tiled floor, and beamed ceiling. Typical staircase with staircase light; stained glass window dated "ANNO 1948" depicting the coats of arms of Belgium, West Flanders, and the four main lordships of Oostkamp (Het Houtsche, Erkegem, Nieuwenhove, and Oostkamp). In the council chamber, there is a portrait gallery of the mayors of Oostkamp; fireplace from 1892 with a portrait of Louis de Bie de Westvoorde, the first mayor of Oostkamp after 1830. Table in the council chamber made by cabinetmaker Dumont with the coat of arms of Oostkamp and the family de Bie de Westvoorde.

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