At the end of the 12th century, Baldwin IX (1171-1205), Count of Flanders (1194-1205), makes a promise to build a church on his estate. In 1203, construction of the church begins, and two years later it is in use. Baldwin IX goes on a crusade in 1202 and disappears without a trace in 1205. He therefore never saw the church. In 1300, the building undergoes an enlargement. In 1418-1421, the Our Lady's Chapel is built on the north side of the ambulatory.
The Church of Our Lady suffered great damage during the Battle of Westrozebeke in 1382, during the Iconoclasm in 1578, and in 1944 during the Second World War (1939-1945).
Above the church entrance is a gold-coloured statue of Mary with Child. Below this is the text: “THE MOTHER'S PRAYER FOR HER SON, THE PRAYER OF HIS BELOVED SON”.
On the altar of the Lady Chapel stands a triptych. In the centre is an image of Mary, created in the early 18th century. Mary is surrounded by stars, holds a sceptre in her right hand, and with her right hand carries her Child. Both Mary and her Child are crowned. To the left of the icon is the painting of the Annunciation to Mary, and to the right is the Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth. Both paintings are by the Baroque painter Casper de Crayer (1584-1669).
The antependium (altar frontal) dates from the first half of the 18th century. It is made of white silk with embroidery in silver and gold thread. It bears the text: “Hail Mary full of grace”. In the Lady Chapel, stained-glass windows by Michel Martens (1921-2006) can also be seen. The three themes are the birth of Mary's Child, the Coronation of Mary, and Mary as Mother of Sorrows. Glass artist Martens created many stained-glass windows for the church in Kortrijk.
In a round medallion are depicted Mary, Joseph, the newborn Jesus and putti.
On a framed sculpture, the deceased Mary is surrounded by two angels.
A large stained-glass window shows Mary, Joseph, and Jesus in the manger.
The monumental Church of Our Lady in Kortrijk displays much of Mary through statues, paintings, and stained-glass windows.
Address: Church of Our Lady, Deken Zegerplein 1, 8500 Kortrijk.
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