The Old Hospital Chapel in Oudenaarde

Oudenaarde (my hometown) has a long history, and so a number of interesting churches and other buildings.around 1200 a hospital for pilgrims and travellers was built just outside the city walls. the hospital had a chapel, which is still there, with beautiful stained glass. The stained glass was changed during the hostory of the chapel, and at end of World war I, when Oudenaarde was in the front line, the glass was probably destroyed, so in 1936 F.P. colpaert received the commission to make 5. he could not finish the five windows, it is assumed he finished the middle three, the two on the side were made by Louis Crespin. they were installed in 1957.

There is five windows each with a central theme:

The five windows have a clear plan, which is fitting for a hospital chapel. in the center is the passion of Jesus and the trinity, on both sides are the ‘parents of Jesus, the virgin Mary and Saint-Joseph. further away are Saint Elizabeth of Hungary and Saint Bernard of clairvaux,

Now lets take a look at each of the five windows seperately, going from left to right

the first one is dedicated to Saint Elizabeth of Hungary. (1207-1231). She was born in Hungary as the daughter of the King of Hungary. She was married to the Landgrave of Thuringia at age 14 in 1221. Two years later she learned about St Francis of Assisi and his ideals and started to live them, and started to spend a lot on charity. in 1227 she became a widow and took vows of celibacy, and stuck to it even under pressure from the family to remarry. she died at age 24, on the 17th of November 1231. She was canonized in 1235.

She is most often depicted with a crown and with roses, because of the legend that when she was bringing things to the poor, she was stopped by her husband and when asked to show what she had, it had changed to roses.

At the top there is two angels and a monogram S.E. (saint Elisabeth)

below is the saint surrounded by angels, recognisable by the roses an the crown.

The lower block shows Saint Elisabeth doing charitable works and in front of a chapel.

The text reads: Sancta Elisabeth, exemplum caritatis, ora pro nobis (Saint Elisabeth, example of charity, pray for us)

the 2nd window is dedicated to the virgin Mary.

on top again angels and a monogram of the letter M (for Mary)

below is Mary crowned, surrounded by angels, holding up the text: “tecum benedictum, fructus ventris tui, nobis ostende” (you are blessed, fruit of your womb, show us)

below are three scenes linked to the nativity: The announcement to the shephards, the nativity, the three kings. the text below reads: “Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis”, (Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us)

The central window centers around the passion of Jesus/the trinity. On top is again 2 angels and the greek letters of alfa and omega (symbol of the beginning and end)

below is an image of the holy trinity, represented by a crucified Jesus (son), a dove (the holy spirit) and a crowned king, holding a staff and orb, as ruler of the world (father). around are seven angels showing the seven gifts of the holy spirit, intelligentia(understanding), timor domini(fear of the Lord), fortitudo(fortitude), consilium(counsel), pietas(piety), scientia(knowledge), sapientia (wisdom)

on the bottom and next to the cross are five scenes from the passion story, on the left below the angels Jesus is being condemned by Pontius Pilate (on the left he is washing his hands), below is the temptation of Christ in the garden of Gethsemane, the text reads “Sub Pontio Pilato passus” (suffered under Pontius Pilates). Next is the last supper with the text “hoc facite in meum commemorationem” (do this to remember this), on the right is on top the ‘pieta’-scene and below the burial of Jesus with the text ‘passus et sepultus est (suffered and was buried)

the fourth window is centered around Saint Joseph. On top is again angels with a monagram

Below is Saint-Joseph surrounded by angels

in the lower part we see Saint Joseph on his deathbed surrounded by angels with the text: “sancte Joseph, patrone bonae mortis, ora pro nobis” (Saint Joseph, patron saint of a good death, pray for us”

the last window is dedicated to Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. (1090-1153). Bernard of Clairvaux is one of the most famous religious figures of the middle ages. He was also the inspiration of a religious order that was founded in Oudenaarde (the sisters Bernardins) and that ran the hospital to which the chapel belonged.

On top is as with the others a monogram and angels

Below is Saint Bernard of Clairvaux surrounded by angels, sided by a dog that was not named after him, but still carries the same name.

below are depicting important elements of Saint Bernard, His devotion to the virgin Mary, as a preacher and as advisor to pope Eugene III. the text reads “sancte bernarde, doctor melliflue, ora pro nobis” (Saint Bernard, Honey-sweet doctor, pray for us). The title honey sweet doctor was an honorary title given to Saint Bernard by Pope Pius VIII in 1830, because the teachings of saint Bernard were so sweetly composed.

The chapel is close to the city’s main church (saint Walburga) but unfortunately not easy to visit, but if you have the chance, worth paying a visit

for more info on:

• Saint Elisabeth of Hungary: wikipedia
• Saaint Bernard of Clairvaux: wikipedia
• The hospital in Oudernaarde: wikipedia (NL) virtual tour
• The Sisters bernardins of Oudenaarde: History (NL)
• there is also a book (in Dutch) on the history of the hospital and the sisters Bernardins: “Het Onze-Lieve-Vrouwehospitaal te Oudenaarde en de zusters bernardinnen” by Noella Ghys, Mariette Martens Rik Castelain and Geert Van Bockstaele, from 2004.

All pictures (copyrighted) and taken by me on 28 September 2024.