Not far from the Zeedijk in Blankenberge stands the church dedicated to Saint Roch with images of Mary. The church was built because the nearby Saint Anthony Abbot Church had become too small due to the increasing number of the faithful who frequently visit the church. In 1896, the Neo-Romanesque church was consecrated by Gustavus Josephus Waffelaert (1847-1931), 22nd Bishop of Bruges (1895-1931) and previously assistant priest at the Saint Anthony Abbot Church in Blankenberge (1871-1875). In 1903, the church with its tower was completed. In 1996, the church was fully restored on the occasion of its centenary.
St Roch's Church is a place of worship visited daily by many people to pray and/or light a candle with an intention. This often takes place by a statue of Mary.
At the entrance of the church, a ceramic tile refers to the pilgrimage to Meetkerke with the text “to the Fishermen's Beloved Lady of our little town Our Lady of Meetkerke 1978”. Meetkerke lies between Blankenberge and Bruges.
In the church there is a large statue of Our Lady of Lourdes where candles are always burning.
Symbols of Mary can be seen in a rose window. A large and tall stained-glass window depicts Our Lady.
In the church hangs a particularly fine 18th-century painting of the Immaculate Conception. Mary's white robe stands for purity, the blue mantle signifies full of grace, and little angels bear Marian symbols, such as the lily, olive branch, palm branch, rose, mirror, star and tulip.
A polyptych shows colourful scenes from the life of Mary.
The Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows is also well worth a visit.
Address: Albertlaan 1, 8370 Blankenberge.
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