Sint-Niklaas

In the centre of the East Flemish town of Sint-Niklaas, overlooking the Market Square, stands the monumental Sint-Nicolaas Church, where depictions of Mary are richly represented. The first structure of the church was a small wooden church consecrated in 1238. This was followed by a stone place of worship in 1262. In the centuries that followed, the church was enlarged and rebuilt several times. Throughout the church's existence, it has experienced not only prosperity with the presence of many worshippers, but also setbacks such as fire, enforced closure, and plundering.

On the rear wall of the church, decorations have been applied with two large, oak altarpieces. On the left are depicted the seven joys of Mary and on the right the seven sorrows of Mary by Matthias Zens (1839-1921), a religious sculptor in the neo-Gothic style.

The church displays large stained-glass windows, where Mary is also depicted.

At the St. Barbara Chapel, artworks can be seen, including a stone statue from 1664 of Our Lady of the Rosary, by an unknown artist.

The communion bench was made by Pieter De Vigne (1812-1877) with medallions, including Mary and Joseph at the left side altar. The Lady altar from 1658 is placed in a side altar on the north side of the church. The representation of Mary with Child is by Norbert van den Eynde (1628-1704). The medallion bears the inscription “Maria ons borch door Samans zorg” (Mary our fortress through Saman’s care). It is a tribute to the donor Pieter Zaman.

On the right-hand side of the church stands a wooden statue of Our Lady from 1841, the year the “Congregation of the Sisters of the Town of Sint-Niklaas” was founded. This statue stood for years in the chapel of the Poor Clare Sisters in Sint-Niklaas. Following the dissolution of the congregation in 1962, the effigy was donated to the convent. Due to the closure of this convent, the statue was donated to the Sint-Niklaas Church in 2011. The gold brocade mantle and dress were repaired by the sisters in 1981. Mary's throne was made by Rik Bosteels (*1932).

In the southern porch, a devotional image of Our Lady of Halle is displayed behind glass. The effigy dates from 1748 and is 132 cm high, made by Huybrecht Willink. The effigy has carved and polychromed heads and hands, and the silver bust is also from the year 1748. The wardrobe includes, among other things, cloaks of purple silk with gold and silver embroidery. The processional image stands on a silver-plated, wooden pedestal. On this is a chronogram with the text “Immaculate art thou, Mary, full of grace, blessed above all women”. This acrostic verse shows large letters that add up to the year 1748 in Roman numerals. Behind the effigy are placed processional shields from the Brotherhood of Our Lady of Halle.

Opposite St. Nicholas' Church, behind the town hall, stands the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour.

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