Stained Glass windows in the Sint-Walburga Church in Oudenaarde: the new Testament Windows

The Saint-Walburga church is the main church in the city-center of Oudenaarde, and contains a number of beautifull stained glass windows. i’ll be splitting them out over several pages, to keep it in normal-sized chunks.

The choir has a lot of stained glass that can be divided in five parts, two on the left side (side and front). a series in the center and two on the right (side and front). This is about the windows in the center.

There are seven high windows in this place. from left to right each of the windows in its fullness:

the windows were created in the beginning of the 20th century, but some were destroyed in World War I and restored in 1922.

The windows depict scenes from the new testament and all have the same structure, on top there is 2 symbols mostly eucharistic symbols), ornaments with musicmaking angels, a scene from the new testament, again a scene with musicmaking angels, another scene from the new testament and below three small parts, in the middle a dedication, on the left and the right a figure holding a bible quote linked to one of the 2 bigger scenes above.

Now let’s take a closer look, going from left to right (there is no strict order that the windows impose by itself), and from top to bottom.


Window 1: The calling of the disciples and the temptations of Christ

At the top are the image of a seven armed menora and a chalice with description in latin: candelabrium aureum’ (golden chandelier) and ‘Panis angelorum’ (bread of angels), the angels below i forgot to take a detailed picture of, it seems, so we move on to the bigger scene.

The first is the calling of the apostles. (Matthew 4:18-22)

Bible Text

Matthew 4:18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 โ€œCome, follow me,โ€ Jesus said, โ€œand I will send you out to fish for people.โ€ 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Below is a set of angels playing music

Below is the scene where Jesus expels the devil after being tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1-11)

Bible Text

1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, โ€œIf you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.โ€ 4 Jesus answered, โ€œIt is written: โ€˜Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 โ€œIf you are the Son of God,โ€ he said, โ€œthrow yourself down. For it is written:โ€˜He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ 7 Jesus answered him, โ€œIt is also written: โ€˜Do not put the Lord your God to the test. 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 โ€œAll this I will give you,โ€ he said, โ€œif you will bow down and worship me.โ€ 10 Jesus said to him, โ€œAway from me, Satan! For it is written: โ€˜Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only. 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

From Biblegateway NIV

on the left is a figure holding the text: “Perversa est haec vestra cogitatio” the first part of a verse from the book of Isaiah (Is. 29:16): “You turn things upside down”, which links to the lower scene, where the devil tried to overturn the correct way of treating God.

Bible Text

Isaiah 29:16: You turn things upside down,
    as if the potter were thought to be like the clay!
Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it,
    โ€œYou did not make meโ€?
Can the pot say to the potter,
    โ€œYou know nothingโ€?

From BibleGateway NIV

The middle window holds the text: “dono dederunt plures parochiani an dom 1922” that the window was a gift from multiple parishioners in 1922

the right part is a figure holding a text “ut sacerdotio fungatur mihi” which comes from the book of exodus 28:41 “so they me serve me as priests”. the link is clear as Jesus calls the disciples, which represent the priests in the church.

Bible Text

Exodus 28:41: After you put these clothes on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint and ordain them. Consecrate them so they may serve me as priests.

From Biblegateway NIV


Window 2: The samaritan woman and the wedding at Cana

The second window shows a chalice and the liturgical tool of a ‘vessel’, where the incense is kept during liturgy before it is being used. the text reads “Dirigatur oratio mea” (may my prayer be directed) and “sicut incensum” (as incense), referring to the verse 2 in psalm 141(140): “May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.”

below is ornaments with an angel

below is Jesus meeting the samaritan woman at the well (John 4:4-15)

Bible Text

4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacobโ€™s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. 7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, โ€œWill you give me a drink?โ€ 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, โ€œYou are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?โ€ (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, โ€œIf you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.โ€ 11 โ€œSir,โ€ the woman said, โ€œyou have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?โ€ 13 Jesus answered, โ€œEveryone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.โ€ 15 The woman said to him, โ€œSir, give me this water so that I wonโ€™t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.โ€

From biblegateway NIV

below are 2 angels

below is the second bigger scene, of the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11)

Bible Text

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesusโ€™ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesusโ€™ mother said to him, โ€œThey have no more wine.โ€ 4 โ€œWoman, why do you involve me?โ€ Jesus replied. โ€œMy hour has not yet come.โ€ 5 His mother said to the servants, โ€œDo whatever he tells you.โ€ 6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, โ€œFill the jars with waterโ€; so they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, โ€œNow draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.โ€ They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, โ€œEveryone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.โ€ 11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

on the left is a figure holding the text: “Quomodo tu, Judaeus cum sis, bibere a me poscis” from the scene with the Samaritan woman at the well: How can you a jew ask me for a drink? (john 4:9)

the middle window has the text “donum familae Ludovici maroy 1900-1922”, a gift from the family of Ludovic Maroy, 1900-1922.

on the right the figure holds the text: “Dicit eis Jesus: Implete hydrias aqua” from the scene of the wedding at cana: “Jesus said to the servants, โ€œFill the jars with waterโ€”(John 2:7)”


Window 3: the healing of a deaf person and Jesus chasing merchants from the temple

on top of the third window is an image of breads and winegrapes, that become the body and blood in the eucharist. the text reads: “Verbum caro, panem verum, verbo carnem efficit” (The Word-made-Flesh, by His word, changes true bread into flesh) and “Corpus Domini Nostri Iesu Christi custodiat animam meam in vitam aeternam. (May the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve your soul unto life everlasting)

next are ornaments with angels

below is the healing of a blind an mute man that was possessed by a demon (Matthew 12:22-23). In the background the demon can be seen fleeing, the bible also mentions the people were astonished, which is notaeable on the faces of the people on the left side.

Bible Text

Matthew 12:22 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. 23 All the people were astonished and said, โ€œCould this be the Son of David?โ€

below are angels playing music

below is the scene of Jesus chasing the money lenders and merchants out of the temple (Matthew 21: 12-13)

Bible Text

Matthew 21:12 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 โ€œIt is written,โ€ he said to them, โ€œโ€˜My house will be called a house of prayer,โ€™ but you are making it โ€˜a den of robbers

I am not 100% sure, but this seems to be from Amos 5:10 “Odio habuerunt corripientem in porta” – “They hate him who reproves in the gate” (ESV translation). This verse links to the lower scene, just above this one.

the text reads: ” DD Raepsaet Hubert, Senator ac burgimer Aldenarde anno domini 1908. ” A gift from Hubert Raepsaet Senator and mayor of Oudenaarde 1908.

so far i was not able find the exact Latin bible text held by this figure


Window 4: the crucifiction and the disciples in Emmaus

The fourth window is the central (axial window) and form the focus point of the windows and the church.

the symbols on the top are a chalice with the Holy Sacrament, and a pelican, of who it is said it will feed its own blood to its young ones, and so a symbol of sacrifice.

below is the usual ornaments with an angel

below is the scene of the crucifiction, with Mary and John standing at the cross (John 19:25-27)

Bible text

John 19:25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his motherโ€™s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, โ€œWoman, here is your son,โ€ 27 and to the disciple, โ€œHere is your mother.โ€ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

next is angels holding chalices

Next is the story of the disciples in Emmaus. when they recognise Jesus, when he breaks the bread. (Luke 24:13-35) interesting in this image is that on the left is a city, Jerusalem, from which they travelled and on the right we see the two disciples and (the unrecognised) Jesus walking.

Bible Text

Luke 24:13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, โ€œWhat are you discussing together as you walk along?โ€ They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, โ€œAre you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?โ€19 โ€œWhat things?โ€ he asked. โ€œAbout Jesus of Nazareth,โ€ they replied. โ€œHe was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didnโ€™t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.โ€ 25 He said to them, โ€œHow foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?โ€ 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, โ€œStay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.โ€ So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, โ€œWere not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?โ€ 33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, โ€œIt is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.โ€ 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

From Biblegateway NIV

the left shows a king (David) holding the text: “Foderunt manus meas et pedes meos” (psalm 22:16): “they pierced my hands and my feet”. the pslam was written by King David

the middle text reads: “In memoriam Anna Verheyden-Senesal, anno Domini 1908” – in memory of Anna Verheyden-Senesal in the year 1908

The figure on the right holds the text: accepit panem, et benedixit, ac fregit, et (porrigebat illis.) from the story of the disciplesm on the road to emmaus (Luke 24:30b): he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and (began to give it to them).


Window 5: Healing of the youngster in Nain and the centurions servant

the top of the fifth window has the symbol of the mystic lamb with the text: “agnus dei dona nobis pacem” – “lamb of god, give us peace” (a text from the eucharist), and the manna falling from heaven as rain (from exodus) with the text: “panis caelestem et nomen dommini” ” = “heavenly bread and the name of the lord”

Below are two angels playing a flute

The first bigger scene is the raising of the young person from Nain (Luke 7:11-17)

Bible Text

Luke 7:11 Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried outโ€”the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, โ€œDonโ€™t cry.โ€ 14 Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, โ€œYoung man, I say to you, get up!โ€ 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. 16 They were all filled with awe and praised God. โ€œA great prophet has appeared among us,โ€ they said. โ€œGod has come to help his people.โ€ 17 This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.

From Biblegateway NIV

next are 2 angels playing music

below is the healing of the centurions servant (Luke 7:3-10)

Bible Text

Luke 7:3The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, โ€œThis man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.โ€ 6 So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: โ€œLord, donโ€™t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, โ€˜Go,โ€™ and he goes; and that one, โ€˜Come,โ€™ and he comes. I say to my servant, โ€˜Do this,โ€™ and he does it.โ€ 9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, โ€œI tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.โ€ 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

From Biblegateway NIV

on the left is a figure holding the text: “Domine, noli vexari, non enim sum dignus (ut sub tectum meum intres)” (luke 7:6b) – Lord, donโ€™t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. Which is said by the centurion in the lower scene.

the middle has a dedication: “in memoriam Joannis Senesal ejusque uxoris Clementia vandermeeren anno domini 1908” : in memory of Johannes Senesal, husband to Clementia Vandermeerem, in the year 1908

on the right is a figure holding the text โ€œEt exaudivit Dominus vocem Eliae” (1 Kings 17:22) – The Lord heard Elijahโ€™s cry, [and the boyโ€™s life returned to him, and he lived], this comes from a fragment in which Elijah brought a young boy back to life.


Window 6: Peter walks on water and the healing of Peters mother in law

at the top of the sixth window is the arc of the convenant with the text: “arca foederis”:” (arc of the covenant) and a monstrance with the text: “cibus viatorum” (food of pilgrims)

below is an angel playing bells

Below is Peter being saved by Jesus from drowning during a storm (Matthew 14:22-33)

Bible text

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. โ€œItโ€™s a ghost,โ€ they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: โ€œTake courage! It is I. Donโ€™t be afraid.โ€ 28 โ€œLord, if itโ€™s you,โ€ Peter replied, โ€œtell me to come to you on the water.โ€ 29 โ€œCome,โ€ he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, โ€œLord, save me!โ€ 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. โ€œYou of little faith,โ€ he said, โ€œwhy did you doubt?โ€ 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, โ€œTruly you are the Son of God.โ€

below are angels playing the harp.

the next scene is Jesus healing Peters mother in law. (Luke 4:38-39)

Bible text

38 Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simonโ€™s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. 39 So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them.

From Biblegateway NIV

the first person holds the text: “ingressi sunt filii Israel per medium sicci maris” – (exodus 14:22) And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground. this is a referral to the first scene where Jesus walks on the water

The dedication reads: “DONO DEDERUNT PLURES PAROCHIANI AN. DOM. 1922” – a gift from many parishioners in the year 1922

the other person holds the text: “et stans super illam imperavit febri (et dimisit illam)” (luke 4:39) – “So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her” which comes directly from the second scene


Window 7: the raising of Lazarus and the the sinfull woman anointing Jesus

The last window has an image of the most sacred heart of Jesus with that in latin: cor jesu sacratiss(imum) and wheat : with the text “ex adipe frumenti” ( from the richness of wheat)

below are angels playing the flute

the next picture is Jesus raising Lazarus from the death (John 11:38-44)

Bible Text

John 11:38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 โ€œTake away the stone,โ€ he said. โ€œBut, Lord,โ€ said Martha, the sister of the dead man, โ€œby this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.โ€ 40 Then Jesus said, โ€œDid I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?โ€ 41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, โ€œFather, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.โ€ 43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, โ€œLazarus, come out!โ€ 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, โ€œTake off the grave clothes and let him go.โ€

below are angels playing the lute and the violin

below is the scene of the woman annointing Jesus’ feet (Luke 7:36-50)

Bible Text

36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Phariseeโ€™s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Phariseeโ€™s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, โ€œIf this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she isโ€”that she is a sinner.โ€ 40 Jesus answered him, โ€œSimon, I have something to tell you.โ€ โ€œTell me, teacher,โ€ he said. 41 โ€œTwo people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[c] and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?โ€ 43 Simon replied, โ€œI suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.โ€ โ€œYou have judged correctly,โ€ Jesus said. 44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, โ€œDo you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgivenโ€”as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.โ€ 48 Then Jesus said to her, โ€œYour sins are forgiven.โ€ 49 The other guests began to say among themselves, โ€œWho is this who even forgives sins?โ€ 50 Jesus said to the woman, โ€œYour faith has saved you; go in peace.โ€

Moses is holding the text from Deuteronomy 32:39: “ego occidam, et ego vivere faciam” – “i put to death and i make alive”. the second part is very much linking to jesus bringing Lazarus back to life

The middle one is not an exact dedication but tells the story of the windows: “Fenestrae hae 4 an 1915 perfectae ob meium hostis absconditae post chorum per germanos nov 1918 destruciu an 1922 restauratu posit” – These 4 windows were completed in 1915, but hidden behind the choir from the Germans, destroyed in november 1918 restored in 1922

on the right a figure holding the text from Exechiel 18:22 ” omnium iniquitatum eius quas operates” – All the offenses that you committed. this refers to the reprimand that Jesus gives to his host in the second scene of this window


The choir of the church has also other stained glass, discussed on other pages, like the old testament windows, the rosary window, the apostles windows or the Genesis Window

All pictures taken by me and copyrighted, on 25 September 2025