English Church of Ostend - A Church with a purpose
The English Church in
Ostend is in the center of the
town, at about 100 metres from the quayside.
The Church was build in 1865 by mediation of King Leopold II to serve
the English community which at the time numbered about 100 families. It
has since been a place of worship and prayer, not only for the local
community, but also a place where Queen
Victoria, members of the Royal British Monarchy and of the Belgian
Monarchy, the German Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm and Montgomery of El
Allamein took part in worship to commemorate on special
occasions.
St. Peter's Church Bruges, also known as 't Keerske
The name ‘t Keerske is derived from the Guild of Chandlers (Candle Makers), who used the Chapel in the 16th Century. Another name for the building is St. Peter’s Chapel. It was built in the 11th Century on commission of Robrecht the Frisian, earl of Flanders, who had a special esteem for Peter. The Chapel was built on the St. Catherine crypt. At the beginning of the 14th century the crossbow archers started using the Chapel and at the end of the 16th century the Guild of Chandlers. There was a restoration in the 18th century. After that the building served as an inn, dancing, boxing hall and a warehouse! From 1938 the Association of Guides rented the Chapel from the Town of Bruges. Since December 8 1984 the restored Chapel is used by the United Protestant Church and the English Church.