St Michael's church, Hekelgem

The Church of St Michael in Hekelgem, Belgium, is a historic parish church that is listed as protected built heritage. The church was perhaps initially attached to the local lordship, but from 1105 to 1796 was a dependency of Affligem Abbey. It became the church of a distinct parish in the 13th century. In the 21st century the parish became part of "Pastoral zone Meander".

Church of St Michael
Sint-Michielskerk
Church of St Michael, Hekelgem
Location	Hekelgem (Affligem), Flemish Brabant
Country	Belgium
Denomination	Catholic
History
Founder(s)	Affligem Abbey
Dedication	Archangel Michael
Consecrated	before 1105
Architecture
Functional status	parish church
Heritage designation	protected built heritage
Designated	2021
Style	Romanesque; Gothic; Neo-Gothic
Years built	12th-13th century; 18th century; 20th century

Structure

The church tower has a 12th-century Romanesque base with an 18th-century top and spire. The nave was built in the 13th century in early Gothic style. The aisles and chancel were built in the early 20th century (1917–1919) in Neo-Gothic style. Renovations were carried out in the 1970s, when a new tower clock was installed. The medieval parts of the building were listed as a protected monument in 1947; the rest of the church was designated as built heritage in 2021.

Furnishings

St Michael casting down Satan (17th-century)

The church contains a 15th-century baptismal font with an 18th-century copper cover, a 17th-century statue of St Michael, two 18th-century confessionals, and an elaborately carved 19th-century pulpit.

Further reading

• L. Vanderschueren, Wandelgids voor Hekelgem, VTB Bibliotheek, 1972.
• Christiaene De Maegd and Suzanne Van Aerschot, Inventaris van het cultuurbezit in België, Architectuur, Vlaams-Brabant, Halle-Vilvoorde. Bouwen door de eeuwen heen in Vlaanderen, vol. 2n, Ghent, 1975.