Gevere (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The 12th-century St. Martin’s Church in Asper, Gavere, will undergo costly restoration (€5M); Flemish subsidy (€1.67M). Mayor Hubau cites safety risks, structural repairs, and citizen-led repurposing; completion expected 2028.
As VRT News reported, the restoration of St. Martin’s Church in Asper, part of the municipality of Gavere, in the province of Antwerp, Belgium, is turning out to be far more costly than first planned. Recent technical assessments show the building is in poor condition.
The roofs are damaged and allow water to penetrate the building. The electrical installation no longer meets safety standards. Because of these safety issues, several areas of the church have already been closed to the public.
What is next for St. Martin’s Church in Asper, Gavere, with €5M restoration?
According to officials, as further studies were carried out, additional defects were identified. This caused the projected cost of the works to rise sharply. They said that the restoration of a historic church requires specialised knowledge and traditional construction methods, which increases expenses. To help finance the project, the Flemish government is providing €1.67 million through the Agency for Immovable Heritage.
“The project was initiated around 2013 with the same subsidy. But due to rising prices and a thorough analysis, the first bids this year came in at around €5 million. This means the municipality now has to fork out €3.5 million. It’s a significant investment, larger than we initially anticipated,”
says Hubau.
St. Martin’s Church in Asper is a protected monument with 3 gables and a Romanesque tower. A large restoration project is planned for both the exterior and interior of the building. The façades will be repaired, and the roofs will be renewed. Wooden elements and stained-glass windows will also be restored.
Inside the church, the floors, walls, vaults and ceilings will be restored. The electrical system will be completely replaced to meet current safety standards. The project also includes the renewal of the space around the church.
“There’s a very good relationship between the church council and the municipality. The chairman of the church council is also a civil engineer, which helps to supervise the work efficiently and expertly,”
says the mayor.
Alongside the construction works, the municipality of Gavere is starting a repurposing project with citizen involvement. Residents will be invited to share ideas on possible new uses for the church. The restoration is scheduled to be completed by 2028. Work will start once contracts with builders have been finalised.
“The church has always served a symbolic purpose for Asper, with approximately 5,000 residents. In the coming months, we want to explore which secondary use would be most suitable,”
explains Hubau.
The Church of St. Martin in the hamlet of Asper was built in the 12th century and has undergone continuous expansion, modification, and development, while still retaining an integral part of the original Romanesque style of the tower. Due to the significant historical and architectural value of the church, it was granted protected monument status in the 20th century.
