From church ruin to military cemetery

The Saint Peter's Church of Grimde is an early 13th century three-aisled church with a freestanding western tower, a nave of three bays and a straight closed choir. The two transept arms date from the 15th century. Until the 19th century, the church served as the parish church of the hamlet of Grimde, but in 1850 the building was so dilapidated that demolition was considered.However, during the First World War this beautiful church was given a new purpose. In the spring of 1915, 145 Belgian soldiers who had died were buried in the church ruins. This was done under the leadership of the Red Cross volunteer Léonard Reynaerts. The first stabilisation works were carried out for that purpose. The dead were simply buried in the earthen floor. The last burial took place on 3 June 1915. Later their number was reduced to 139. After WWII, Major General Guffens was buried at his own request, bringing the total to 140. A large number of the fallen were killed on 18 August 1914 during the battles of Grimde, Oplinter and Sint-Margriete-Houtem. A few boys from the region were buried later.In June 1919, Mayor De Jaegher reported that urgent repairs were needed at this cemetery because it had been damaged by the explosion of a nearby ammunition depot. In addition, the graves had to be prepared for the annual visit of General Guffens and the survivors of the 22nd Line Regiment. To this, municipal councillor, senator and industrialist Lucien Beauduin replied that the old parish church would be better transformed into a full-fledged military cemetery. However, because there was no progress, Beauduin - after approval from the board of mayor and aldermen - took the initiative himself.Between 1922 and 1928, the church and the cemetery were thoroughly restored. Lucien Beauduin was the direct client of the Brussels architect Leon Govaerts who led the works. The Tienen contractor Antoine Geets was responsible for the execution. The stained glass windows were designed by the Brussels painter Maurice Langaskens and were made by the glazier Jean Wyss. Only the stained glass window 'Vrede' from 1934 was created by the glazier Florent-Prosper Colpaert. The sculpture (triumphal cross and statue of the patron saint Saint Peter) is by Geo Verbanck. The bronze doors are by the company Claudoré from Mons who carried out the casting.Source: toerisme.tienen.be/necropolis

A lantern of the dead was set up at the entrance to the cemetery. This symbol, imported from Brittany, can be found in several plots of honour from the First World War. A resting altar was erected on the corner with the Kerkhofweg to give the priest the opportunity to let the sacrament rest during processions.The white gravestones, which were laid out during the restoration work, were deliberately kept simple. They were placed right next to each other, so that they give the impression of covering a common grave. Each gravestone is decorated with a Belgian helmet and an oak leaf as a sign of courage and wisdom. The stones are identical for all the fallen, regardless of rank or position (even General Guffens was buried under a similar gravestone). This was intended to emphasise equality before death.By using old medieval techniques and the choice of colours, the chiaroscuro effect was enhanced in the design of the stained glass windows. This remarkable play of light and dark symbolises the light that triumphs over death.

The former Sint-Pieterskerk was once a parish church of the Tienen hamlet of Grimde. It is an early 13th century three-aisled building with a detached west tower, a protruding transept and a flat closed east choir. The tower and nave are built in a transitional style between Romanesque and Gothic. The Gothic transept dates from the 15th century. Around the 19th century the old church was dilapidated. In 1944 the war broke out, 145 soldiers died and they are buried in this church. In 1928 it was decorated by industrialist Beauduin as a unique soldier cemetery. The former church was named “Necropolis” or city of the dead. In 2002 it was included in the list of protected monuments.