Sint-Waldetrudiskerk

Sint-Waldetrudiskerk is a Gothic church in Herentals, in the Belgian Kempen region, locally nicknamed the "Bovenkerk" (Upper Church) to distinguish it from the town's other major church. Standing in the heart of Herentals, it has remained one of the city's most recognizable landmarks for centuries.

When was the church built?

Construction began in 1417 and continued in stages throughout much of the 15th century. Gillis van den Bossche, an architect also linked to the cathedral in Brussels, is credited as the principal master builder. He was responsible for joining the late-Gothic choir to the older and unusually shaped crossing tower. Work on the choir, ambulatory and the chapels crowning that section was completed around 1449, by which point the structure had reached a height of nearly 19 metres. A few years later, in 1453, construction began on the three-aisled nave.

What survives from the earliest building?

The tower is the only element that survives from the original 14th-century church — the rest of the structure was raised in the following century, in the mature Brabantine Gothic style. The facades are richly decorated with parapets, gargoyles, niches and slender turrets, giving the building a sense of lightness despite its considerable bulk. This style combines structural solidity with the ornamental richness typical of the Southern Low Countries during that period.

What artworks does the interior hold?

The interior houses a notable collection of sacred art. Among the most valued pieces is the retable dedicated to Saints Crispin and Crispinian, patrons of craftsmen, alongside paintings by members of the renowned Francken family of Flemish painters, as well as works by Jordaens, De Vos and Cossiers. This variety reflects the church's wealth and standing over the centuries, as local patrons and guilds funded its furnishings.

Where does the church's dedication come from?

The church is dedicated to Saint Waltrudis (Waldetrudis in Dutch spelling), a noblewoman from Hainaut who lived in the 7th century. The chapter associated with her cult held land in various locations, including an estate in Herentals — this landholding connection explains why the town chose to honour this particular saint as the patron of its main church.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the church called the "Bovenkerk"? It's a local nickname used by residents of Herentals to distinguish this church from the town's other major church — the name reflects local usage rather than the church's official dedication.

How long did construction take? The work stretched over decades — beginning in 1417, with the choir completed around 1449, and construction of the nave starting in 1453. Such a drawn-out timeline was common for large Gothic churches of the period.

What are the highlights inside? The retable of Saints Crispin and Crispinian stands out, alongside paintings by Flemish masters, including members of the Francken family and works by Jordaens, De Vos and Cossiers.

Who was Saint Waltrudis? A noblewoman from the Hainaut region who lived in the 7th century, whose veneration spread through estates tied to her chapter — one of which was located in Herentals.