Oeselgem: Churches, Culture and Routes

If you are choosing a destination for its historic buildings and themed trails, Oeselgem offers several specific points of interest. These include a historic farmstead on the former castle grounds, a church with a churchyard, and school and monastery buildings from different periods. The trails explore events from the Second World War, lead to historic sites, or incorporate text, images and audio. This lets you plan your trip around the topics that interest you most.

Church and Churchyard

The present-day Sint-Martinus Church was built in 1720 to replace the Gothic church. On 20 October 1720, the Bishop of Ghent, P. E. Van der Noot, consecrated the building. The church stands beside an old branch of the Leie, next to its churchyard. Beside it are three identical Neo-Gothic pillar chapels depicting different episodes from the Passion of Saint Apollonia.

A chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Halle stands in the southeastern corner of the churchyard. The Onze-Lieve-Vrouwkapel features a round-arched image niche depicting Mary with the Child, a wrought-iron cross and round windows in both side walls. Together with the pillar chapels, these details offer different insights into ecclesiastical architecture.

An access rule is important when planning your visit: the Sint-Martinus Church in Oeselgem is open only during services, which take place by appointment. Bear this restriction in mind when planning a visit to the church.

Building History and Historic Sites

The historic Hoeve Ten Walle lies between the road and an old branch of the Leie, on the former grounds of the castle of Oeselgem’s lord of the manor. Its location is therefore linked both to the branch of the Leie and to the former castle complex.

The Catholic school in Oeselgem began operating in 1879. The first buildings at its present location on Wakkenstraat were erected in the same year. The monastery building of Klooster en school is Neo-Gothic and dates from 1914 to 1918. Neo-Gothic refers to the later revival of Gothic design forms; in Oeselgem, the term also describes the three pillar chapels beside the church. The 1914–1918 construction period refers to the monastery building, while 1879 marks the start of the school and the first buildings at the current site.

Trails through History and Culture

The Neerhoekwandelpad is a local walking initiative that explores the dramatic events of the Second World War in Oeselgem’s Neerhoek district. The trail has been in existence since 2010. The Neerhoek–May 1940 walking route is about 8.1 km long and includes 16 memorial points.

The “Dentergem doorkruist” route leads to historic sites and places of interest in Oeselgem. A description published in 2025 mentions additional text, image and audio content at locations along the route. The route thus combines historic destinations with several media formats. Its theme differs from that of the walking trails focused on Second World War events and memorial points.

The “Een rondje Dentergem” recreational cycling route is 42 km long and passes the church in Oeselgem. The publisher may update route details, so check the current description before setting out. This keeps the stated distance and destination in view when planning, without assuming a particular journey time.

Finding Your Way in the Leie Valley

The historic trade route connection of Vijvestraat lies on the slope of the Leie Valley and leads towards Sint-Baafs-Vijve, Wielsbeke and Ooigem. It adds a historic connection to these places to the local stories of buildings and churches. Together, the buildings, memorial points, cultural route and historic trade route offer a range of themes around which you can plan your trip.

Discover more destinations: Wakken

Return to the main travel overview: Dentergem.