Saint Trudo

Kerkstraat, 3990 Peer

About this building

The history of the Giant of the Campine starts in the year 950 with a humble wooden church. In the 11th century, a stone building arose, traces of which can still be seen in the east wall of the present church. In 1392, the construction of the highest tower of the Limburg Campine was mentioned. The heavy fortified tower was part of the town ramparts. In 1422 the transept was built according to an inscription in the Paradise gate in the south wall.

The tower was a safe haven for the population in times of war. However, on May 13th 1483, 1500 Campine citizens were killed in and around the tower during the fight between G. Van der Marck and Jan van Hornes.

In 1572, following arson by Austrian troops, the gothic church slowly fell into neglect. After that, mutinous Spanish soldiers set the church on fire in 1599, followed by heavy damage in 1654 through the hands of troops from Lorraine. Traces of the fire are still visible as red scorched marl stones in the east wall.

Repairs were executed, but on July 21st 1825 there was a 'midge fire'. Inhabitants of Peer mistook a dense swarm of midges for smoke and started a full scale extinguishing action. Since then, the inhabitants of Peer are called 'midge extinguishers'.

From 1840 to 1905 the extension in neo-gothic style was realised.

On May 10th, 1992 a carillon was hung in place, which was extended in1997 to become the biggest of the country, and on May 15th 1999 it was inaugurated and played in.Each Sunday evening during the summer you can hear and enjoy carillon concerts.

These days, the tower also functions as a museum. On the 2nd floor there is an exhibition of the mechanical motion system of the 1875 tower clock; on the 3rd floor the restaured clock base with the St. Mary clock dating from 1641 can be visited and the 4th floor accomodates the carillon with no less than 64 bells.

KIKIRPA : Photo-library online

Toerisme Peer

See the treasures of this church online on Erfgoed Plus

Stained glass windows in the church

The presbytery contains five 1913 stained glass windows in deep reds and blues, each showing two…

The presbytery contains five 1913 stained glass windows in deep reds and blues, each showing two figures: Alphonsus and Catharina, Philippus and Petrus, Trudo and Joseph, Goderidus and Matthaeus, and the apparition of the Sacred Heart to Margaretha Maria Alacoque. Their colors glow at sunrise. Above the narthex is Saint Trudo with the arms of Peer. Side aisle windows depict Mary’s seven sorrows and seven joys.

Paintings of Louis Hendrix

Two artworks by local painter Louis Hendrix hang in the presbytery: one showing Jesus’ baptism…

Two artworks by local painter Louis Hendrix hang in the presbytery: one showing Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist, the other depicting Jesus revealing his heart. Both are painted on wooden panels. Hendrix, once a highly sought after religious artist and winner of several prestigious awards, fell into obscurity as the neo Gothic style declined at the end of the 19th century.

Statue Our Lady of seven sorrows

At the back of the church, in the former baptistery, a baroque statue of Mary of seven Sorrows…

At the back of the church, in the former baptistery, a baroque statue of Mary of seven Sorrows arises. It is a statue used for devotion. The statue was probably made on the occasion of the foundation of the brotherhood of the seven sorrows (1647). The statue stands on an old altar stone found in the left transept during the latest restoration of the interior (2002-2004).

Statues underneath the tower e.g. Jesus on the cold stone

Beneath the tower are centuries old statues worth a closer look. A polychrome wooden statue of…

Beneath the tower are centuries old statues worth a closer look. A polychrome wooden statue of Jesus from the early 16th century shows him resting on a stone from Golgotha, exhausted before the crucifixion, portrayed with Jewish braids. Opposite stands a 15th century stone Madonna with Child. At the back are 18th century wooden statues and a unique 17th century painting.

Tower with museum

The impressive tower is equipped as a museum. On the first floor visitors can find a nice…

The impressive tower is equipped as a museum. On the first floor visitors can find a nice collection of church treasures such as chasubles, relics, church silverwares, e.g. The second floor is equipped as a museological space with mechanical turret clocks from the church towers of Peer, Linde, Kleine-Brogel and Wijchmaal. Among these mechanical turret clocks a fully restored clock from Peer can be found, this is truly unique in the Flanders! One floor up there is a bronze treasure that pleases music lovers from Peer and surroundings: the carillon.

The carillon

The carillon of Peer is one of the biggest carillons of the world with its 64 different bells and a…

The carillon of Peer is one of the biggest carillons of the world with its 64 different bells and a weight of 17.235 kilograms. The showpiece is the Mater Dolorosa that weighs 3075 kilos and is therefore the biggest bell in the province of Limburg.
The carillon was hung at the 10th of May 1992 and expanded in 1997. Carillon concerts are performed whole summer long and the Sint-Trudo church of Peer and surroundings are ideal listening spots for an hour of musical enjoyment.