Our Lady of the Nativity

Singel zn, 2275 Gierle (Lille)

About this building

Centrally located in the village center, stands the beautiful church that is dedicated to the Nativity of Mary. For several centuries, this church has been exuding the pride that is so characteristic of Gierle. The building that one can see today, dates from the beginning of the 16th century. Still, the foundations must have existed far longer. Behind the main altar, there would be a cemented in stone with the year 1121 on it.

It is said that during the 14th century, monks from the well-known French abbey of Cluny would have taught the Latin language in this church. Possibly the monks also contributed to the design and creation of this church and its tower, which is perhaps why it is called Cluny tower. Characteristic to this church are the square base and the octagonal floor and spire. These shapes point to a Romanesque building style.

Over many centuries, our church has weathered many storms. Especially during the religious wars in the 16th century, the church suffered severely from plundering, destruction, and fire. Again and again, it was renovated and renewed by the joined effort of our ancestors. Every pastor, usually in collaboration with the municipal government, has felt obligated to make his own contribution to the maintenance, restoration, and repair of this church.

KIKIRPA: Photo-library online

Our Lady with Child

Richly adorned polychrome lindenwood statue of Our Lady by artist Thomas Haesaerts (1600-1625).…

Richly adorned polychrome lindenwood statue of Our Lady by artist Thomas Haesaerts (1600-1625). Child in red garment with gilded stars and collar, in blessing, short curly hair. Originally called ‘Madonna of the Apocalypse’, standing on the world with a crescent moon and winding serpent on the pedestal.
The statue is said to have been sawn off and modified to be turned into a processional statue at the end of the 19th or the beginning of the 20th century.

Pulpit

The central support of this 1719 pulpit is Saint Helena in rich apparel, with cross and chalice…

The central support of this 1719 pulpit is Saint Helena in rich apparel, with cross and chalice on a cloud. At the bottom, one can find a tied laurel wreath cornice, and at the top a crown molding.
At the front, one can see a depiction of the Blessed Jesus (with gilded aureole).
On the beveled corners, there are sculpted little heads with the symbols of the Evangelists.
And above the stairs, one can find a shell with two flower garlands carried by two little angels.

Our Lady gives a rosary to Saint Dominic

Stained glass window, 1905.
In the middle, depiction of Our Lady with Child who hands over a…

Stained glass window, 1905.
In the middle, depiction of Our Lady with Child who hands over a rosary to Saint Dominic accompanied by angels making music.
Front right: little hand with torch. Placed under a double Gothic baldachin.
Text: Donum Familiae/Vendelmans-De Wolf/ Anno Domini/ 1905”/O.L.V. van den aller hsten Rozenkrans.
This is the only stained glass window that was spared during World War II

The Descent from the Cross

Bronze by Willy Peeters (1983).
Front view of a group of statues with figures of approx.…

Main altar

Rectangular sand lime block (1900–1925), profiled with an ornamental edge and a table top…

Rectangular sand lime block (1900–1925), profiled with an ornamental edge and a table top holding an altar stone. The structure is in black marble, set on a rectangular baseboard with four front pillars, each with a Gothic base, red marble shaft, foliate capital, and square capstone. At the center of the baseboard is a deep relief round medallion with a quatrefoil enclosing a fleur de lis aureole.

The eight Beatitudes

Oil on canvas by Jill van Lill (2023).
In eight paintings the artist Jill depicts her own…

Oil on canvas by Jill van Lill (2023).
In eight paintings the artist Jill depicts her own interpretation of the beatitudes.
For the size, she found inspiration in the colorful statues of saints that one used to find in every church, high on a pedestal, clearly visible.
Every blessing contains a future reward, represented by the flowers on top. The color strengthens the feeling.
Both symbol, statue, and color offer insight into the meanings that Jill gives the beatitudes as she experiences them.