Aalst (Brussels Morning Newspaper): Karim Van Overmeire, Aalst’s Alderman for Heritage, restored the 80-meter Saint Joseph Church by carrying the rooster weathervane, preserving its history and connecting future generations through a lead time capsule.
The Saint Joseph Church in Aalst, which is 80 meters tall, is the tallest building in the city. Recently, Karim Van Overmeire, Aalst’s Alderman for Heritage and a member of the N-VA party, faced a personal challenge. Despite being afraid of heights, he helped restore the church tower by carrying the iconic rooster weathervane to the top.
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According to Van Overmeire, climbing the tower was about “switching off” his mind to handle the challenge. To conquer his fear of heights, he climbed step by step. Reaching the top was a meaningful moment for him, highlighting his commitment to Aalst’s heritage.
It has been said that under the rooster in the church, there is a lead tube with a message for the people of Aalst. This is connected to the old rooster from 1907 and the history of the Esplanadeplein, which used to be called Kolenmarkt. During the war, the Germans used the tower as a lookout. The old rooster was taken down because it was dangerous, and now there is a new one. The lead tube is like a time capsule for future generations. The new rooster is part of the first phase of fixing the church, which includes work on the tower and the front. Next year, the second phase will start. This work will take a few years, giving the city time to think about a new use for the church and how to improve the Esplanadeplein, while keeping residents and nearby schools safe.
