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Harelbeke - St. Salvatorkerk

City: Harelbeke is a town in the province of West Flanders in Belgium. The city, situated on the river Leie, is connected to the city of Kortrijk. The history of this place goes back a long way. In the stories and legends of many peoples there is mention about this place. The best known legend is that of the Forestiers. Today there are approximately 26,328 people living in Harelbeke (2008).

Building: St. Salvatorkerk The church Sint-Salvator of Harelbeke is the fourth church build on the same site. The first one was destroyed by the vikings in the 9th century. From the second church there only remains a few ruins of the crypt. The third church, a church in romancism style from the 11th/12th century, was demolished in 1769. The present church was built over the period between 1769 to 1773. On the front elevation of the church we see 4 figures: the eagle, the bull, the lion and a man. These 4 figures remind us of the 4 creatures around the throne of God, described in Revelation 4:7. Also on the pulpit we can find those same 4 figures.

Object: In this church Hebrew writing can be seen twice. The first time (2 x) on the impressive sermon Chair. It strikes us that the script is not quite right. The second time there are Hebrew writings found on 6 candlesticks in front of the Church - 3 on the left and 3 on the right of the altar. At the foot of each candlestick is a triangle that we so often have seen inside churches. On closer inspection, however, there is an "H" written three times . This could be a reference to Revelation 4: 8 where it says "Holy, Holy, Holy is JHWH God, Almighty ..."

 

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