Church History
The Sint-Pieterskerk is a church in the Belgian village of Sint-Pieters-Kapelle (Middelkerke). The name Sint-Pieters-Kapelle is not found in written sources until 1272. Before that, this parish was part of Slijpe. That is why Pope Innocent III mentions Slijpe in a bull from 1200, in which he gives Gela permission to build a chapel. This chapel would later develop into the current St. Peter's Church.
The story goes that Gela, a very religious woman, asked the Pope for permission to build a chapel in St. Peter's Chapel. She got permission and the chapel was built. St. Peter's Church probably stands on the site where Gela had St. Peter's Chapel built.
At the end of the 16th and the beginning of the 17th century, the wars of religion left a trail of destruction through Flanders. In 1584 the Spaniards recaptured Bruges from the Geuzen. However, Ostend, close to the deanery Gistel, remained a heretical stronghold until 1604. From Ostend and Sluis, these Protestant troops terrorized the surrounding areas. The church of Sint-Pieterskapelle, like the church of Gistel, was looted and damaged. For example, it is stated in a document that Bishop Triest orders the restoration of the roof of the already restored church part.
In the First World War, the village was almost completely destroyed. Afterwards, the village was rebuilt, the church also rose from the rubble.
The church is dedicated to Saint Peter. In a niche above the entrance is a statue of Peter. He has the key of the Kingdom of God in his hand. This is also reflected in the inscription on the portal in the north facade "haec est domus dei et porta coeli" which means "this is the house of the Lord and the gate of heaven." It is believed that the church was founded in the early medieval Christianization period.
Many style influences are combined in St. Peter's Church. The Romanesque tower body of the St. Peter's Church in St. Peter's Chapel dates back to the 13th century. The tower also refers to the military function. In times of danger, the robust tower was a kind of refuge for the population.
The choir stalls, the sacristies, the bell room and the stair tower are built in late Gothic style. The nave has a classical tint and dates from the 18th century, in the 19th century the church was widened. This widening was carried out in the neo-Gothic style. The many renovations mean that the tower is not perfectly in line with the rest of the building.
K.E.R.K. (Kunsthalle ERvincK) Sint -Pieters- Kapelle (Middelkerke) is a platform for contemporary art that wants to develop a constantly evolving program together with a group of interested parties. You can also be part of this unique initiative as a patron or member. The program includes preview tours of the house, lectures, studio visits and meetings with artists.
