St Michael's church, Hekelgem

Church of St Michael
Sint-Michielskerk
Church of St Michael, Hekelgem
Map
50°54′27″N 4°06′32″E / 50.9076°N 4.1090°E / 50.9076; 4.1090
LocationHekelgem (Affligem), Flemish Brabant
CountryBelgium
DenominationCatholic
History
Founder(s)Affligem Abbey
DedicationArchangel Michael
Consecratedbefore 1105
Architecture
Functional statusparish church
Heritage designationprotected built heritage
Designated2021
StyleRomanesque; Gothic; Neo-Gothic
Years built12th-13th century; 18th century; 20th century

The Church of St Michael in Hekelgem, Belgium, is a historic parish church that is listed as protected built heritage.[1] The church was perhaps initially attached to the local lordship, but from 1105 to 1796 was a dependency of Affligem Abbey.[2] It became the church of a distinct parish in the 13th century. In the 21st century the parish became part of "Pastoral zone Meander".[3]

Structure

The church tower has a 12th-century Romanesque base with an 18th-century top and spire. The nave was built in the 13th century in early Gothic style. The aisles and chancel were built in the early 20th century (1917–1919) in Neo-Gothic style.[1] Renovations were carried out in the 1970s, when a new tower clock was installed.[2] The medieval parts of the building were listed as a protected monument in 1947; the rest of the church was designated as built heritage in 2021.[1]

Furnishings

St Michael casting down Satan (17th-century)

The church contains a 15th-century baptismal font with an 18th-century copper cover, a 17th-century statue of St Michael, two 18th-century confessionals, and an elaborately carved 19th-century pulpit.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Flanders Heritage Agency. "Parochiekerk Sint-Michiels". Inventaris Onroerend Erfgoed.
  2. ^ a b "Kerk van Hekelgem". Toerisme Affligem.
  3. ^ "Pastorale zone Meander". 2024.

Further reading

  • L. Vanderschueren, Wandelgids voor Hekelgem, VTB Bibliotheek, 1972.
  • Christiaene De Maegd and Suzanne Van Aerschot, Inventaris van het cultuurbezit in België, Architectuur, Vlaams-Brabant, Halle-Vilvoorde. Bouwen door de eeuwen heen in Vlaanderen, vol. 2n, Ghent, 1975.