Volunteers catalogue treasures of West Flemish churches
A Kortrijk-based heritage organisation is taking inventory of all the items gathered in local churches and aims to create a publically-accessible database
Holy inventory
Eventually, we lose track of where certain things are buried. Well, the same goes for churches.
In Flanders, even the smallest parish churches have become museums of sort, filled with religious and secular artefacts dating back centuries. Some have cultural and historical value, others lie forgotten under a thick layer of dust.
To get a clearer view of the hidden treasure trove, a Kortrijk-based heritage organisation has begun taking inventory of all the items gathered in local churches. For now, the aptly named project Goddelijke Huisraad (Divine Household Goods) is underway in five parishes in West Flanders, but more are likely to follow, according to Ineke Bruynooghe from Erfgoed Zuidwest (Southwest Heritage).
Endless surprises
“The project responds to a need,” she explains. “Churches in Flanders are at a crossroads. Attendance has dwindled over the decades, so some of them no longer hold services. Plans are underway to give churches new or alternative functions.”
During this time, she continues, “it is useful to know what kind of heritage items the parishes have lying around. A comprehensive inventory is also invaluable in case of theft or fire.”
West Flanders is lagging a bit behind the other provinces. East Flanders and Limburg, for example, have already invested much time and energy into creating similar inventories.
We aim to count, assign numbers to and photograph every single object in each church
“We aim to count, assign numbers to and photograph every single object in each church,” says Bruynooghe. “Items used in the mass, of course, like monstrances, chalices and priests’ robes, but also paintings, furniture, organs and even the leaded glass windows.”
The meticulous work will be done by volunteers, most of whom are already involved in their parishes. But even for them, the churches have held a lot of surprises. “People always think they know their church through and through. But open a few drawers, and you’ll be amazed by all the stuff that has piled up over the years.”
The aim is to gather every object in a digital database, part of which will be accessible to the public. Churches in Flanders often fall victim to theft, so parish councils will be able to decide what information to keep private.
But, according to Bruynooghe, a public database can also help mitigate crime. “In England, a similar database has led to a significant reduction in theft because [police] can easily trace the origin of stolen items.”
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