The Sint-Brixiuskerk, in some sources referred to as Sint-Pieterskerk, is a predominantly neo-Gothic parish church that incorporates a multitude of successive construction phases and styles. Next to the church is an acacia. This tree was supposedly planted after WWI as a peace tree. A charter from 1037-1038 mentions the village of Ooigem for the first time: "itemque ecclesia appenditiaque Otingehem et forestum Methela". The church in question was probably nothing more than a wooden chapel. A first stone church probably dates from the 13th century. The building was still strongly inspired by the Romanesque buildings from the region, but already contained a new early Gothic element, namely the pointed arch. The church was probably restored for the first time during the 14th century, when many walls were replaced by brickwork. In the 16th century, a brick chapel of Our Lady was built between the north aisle and the high choir. At the end of the 16th or beginning of the 17th century, the choir of the early Gothic church was demolished and replaced by a three-sided closed choir. In 1683, another series of renovations followed, just like in 1716-1717. A neo-Gothic enlargement of the choir and south aisle was realized in the years 1856-1857. At that time, pointed arch windows replaced all existing windows. The building was damaged in both world wars, but was restored each time. In 1934-1936, the pointed arch-shaped passage was replaced by a much wider arch. In the west facade, a rose window took the place of the central pointed arch window. Finally, a new spire was added in 1954 after it had been destroyed in WWII. The early presence of people in this centre was confirmed by archaeological research in 1981. In that year the church was thoroughly restored, mainly roofing work. Source: information board on site
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