Sint-Petrus-en-Pauluskerk, Ostend (Oostende)
View of the Sint-Petrus-en-Pauluskerk from the port. Photo: Photocapy.
The grand west front, which actually faces east. Public domain photo.
Satellite map of the Sint Petrus en Pauluskerk. For a larger view,
see our Ostend Map or Google Earth download.
The Sint Petrus-en-Pauluskerk (Church of St. Peter and St. Paul) in Ostend (Oostende) is an impressive Gothic church built in 1905.
History
The history of the Sint Petrus-en-Pauluskerk begins with the destruction by fire of its predecessor, the Pieterskerk, on August 14, 1896. All that remains of the Pieterskerk is the impressive brick tower called the Peperbus, which stands nearby.
King Leopold II enthusiastically made plans for a grand new church - so enthusiastic that many suspected he had started the fire in the old church himself. Construction on the new church began in 1899, based on the plans of Bruges town architect Louis de la Censerie. It was completed in 1905.
The Church of Peter and Paul was inaugurated on September 4, 1905, in in the presence of King Leopold II and other prominent people. But the church was not consecrated until August 31, 1908, by Waffelaert, Bishop of Bruges.
What to See
The Sint-Petrus-en-Pauluskerk is modeled after Cologne Cathedral and Vienna's Votivkirche.
Unusually, the monumental west front of the church does not actually face west, but east. This is so that the church puts its most impressive face towards travellers arriving in Ostend's port. The "east front" contains three portals, with decorative patterns in the tympaneum over the central portal. The images of Peter, the Virgin Mary and Paul were carved by the Antwerp sculptor Jean-Baptiste van Wint. High above the portal is a grand rose window flanked by blind arches.
All the original stained glass windows were destroyed in the World Wars. The current glass was designed by Michiel Martens (1921-2006). The windows depict Belgian kings and queens and Saints Peter and Paul.
The funeral chapel of the Belgian Queen Louise-Marie, who died in Ostend in 1850, was built on to the choir.
Next to the new church is the brick church tower known as "Peperbus," which dates from the first half of the 18th century and contains 15th-century remains from the old church.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Sint Petrus-en-Pauluskerk; Church of St. Peter and St. Paul |
| Type of site: | Church |
| Faith: | Roman Catholic |
| Dates: | 1899-1905 |
| Architecture: | Neo-Gothic |
| Architect: | Louis de la Censerie (1838-1909) of Bruges |
| Size: | 70m long x 36 m wide x 72m high |
| Location: | Kapellestraat, south from the Wapenplein, Oostende, West Flanders, Belgium |
| Address: | Sint-Petrus-en-Paulusplein, 8400 Oostende |
Sources
- Sint-Petrus-en-Pauluskerk (Oostende) - Dutch Wikipedia
- Sint-Petrus-en-Pauluskerk - Stad Oostende
- Ostend - Sint-Petrus-en-Pauluskerk - PlanetWare
More Information
- Photos of Saint Peter and Paul's Church - Belgium View
- Oostende Travel Forum - TripAdvisor
