Beert / Beerde / Beerth / Beerthe / Bierte / Birthe / Brages / Breges / Burthe
Image copyright © KIK-IRPA, Brussels (Belgium), 2026
CC-BY-4.0
Results: 2 records
view of font and cover
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © KIK-IRPA, Brussels (Belgium), 2026
Image Source: digital image of a 1970 B&W photograph by Speltdoorn, Emile, KIK
Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-4.0
view of church exterior - southeast view
Scene Description: "Pepingen Beert KH OLV (12)"
Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Mertens, Joeri, 2014
Image Source: digital photograph 28 November 2014 by Mertens, Joeri
Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-SA-4.0
INFORMATION
Font ID: 26133KLS
Object Type: Baptismal Font1
Font Century and Period/Style: 16th century (?)
Workshop/Group/Artisan: Hainaut type font
Church / Chapel Name: Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk, later Sint-Augustinuskerk
Church Wikidata: https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sint-Augustinuskerk_(Beert)
Church Patron Saint(s): St. Mary the Virgin
Other Dedications: St. Augustin
Church Notes: church documented 1223; demolished and re-built 18thC;
Site Location: Vlaams-Brabant / Brabant Flamand, Vlaanderen / Flandres, Belgium, Europe
Directions to Site: Located S of the N28, N of Hwy E429, in the municipality and 4 km SE of Pepingen, 6-7 km WNW of Halle
Ecclesiastic Region: Diocèse de Bruxelles
Town/City Wikipedia: https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beert
Font Notes:
Click to view
Baptismal font of the 16th century listed and illustrated in BALaT KIK-IRPA [https://balat.kikirpa.be/object/27334] [accessed 18 February 2026]: "doopvont [...] steen [...] Date: 1501 (onzeker) - 1600 (onzeker) [...] hoogte: 116 cm".
A communication to BSI from Pol Herman (e-mail of 18 January 2026) informs: "https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sint-Augustinuskerk_(Beert).
In 1878, the church was still dedicated to the Holy Virgin, no mention of Saint Augustine. 1220 : Burthe, 1223 : Berte 1265 : Birthe, 1324 : Bierte, 1560 : Beerth, Beerthe, Beerde, French : Breges, Brages. The domain was part of the inheritance of Gertrude of Nivelles (626-659) and was ceded by her to the Abbey of Nivelles. Around 1000, the Counts of Leuven forcedly acquired ownership of the lordship. Later, the church’s rights fell into the possession of the Augustinian Abbey of Cantimpré at Bellingen, founded in 1182. 1223: Ingelbertus (Engelbert II), dominus of Enghien, sells to the Abbey of Cantimpré: "pomerium meum apud Berthe cum terre mea jacente versus ecclesiam de Birthe" (orchard and grounds opposite the church of Beert). After the establishment of the diocese of Mechelen in 1559, the right to appoint a priest was granted to the chapter of St. Gudula in Brussels. In 1668, Guillielmo Schaurink, pastor in Beerthe, is mentioned. By 1702, the church had largely fallen into ruins. A description of the damage and of the repair is the only information known about the building. 1736: a fire in the sacristan's house spread to the church. 1758: major repairs to the church. In 1745, the monks of Cantimpré Abbey moved to Cambrai, and the former abbey was downgraded to priory status. The old church was demolished and replaced by the current one in 1784. The costs were borne by the priory. Consecration in 1787. Baptismal records starting 1666. Only a description: A Gothic, octagonal, limestone baptismal font from the sixteenth century in Hainaut-style. https://balat.kikirpa.be/object/27334".
A communication to BSI from Pol Herman (e-mail of 18 January 2026) informs: "https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sint-Augustinuskerk_(Beert).
In 1878, the church was still dedicated to the Holy Virgin, no mention of Saint Augustine. 1220 : Burthe, 1223 : Berte 1265 : Birthe, 1324 : Bierte, 1560 : Beerth, Beerthe, Beerde, French : Breges, Brages. The domain was part of the inheritance of Gertrude of Nivelles (626-659) and was ceded by her to the Abbey of Nivelles. Around 1000, the Counts of Leuven forcedly acquired ownership of the lordship. Later, the church’s rights fell into the possession of the Augustinian Abbey of Cantimpré at Bellingen, founded in 1182. 1223: Ingelbertus (Engelbert II), dominus of Enghien, sells to the Abbey of Cantimpré: "pomerium meum apud Berthe cum terre mea jacente versus ecclesiam de Birthe" (orchard and grounds opposite the church of Beert). After the establishment of the diocese of Mechelen in 1559, the right to appoint a priest was granted to the chapter of St. Gudula in Brussels. In 1668, Guillielmo Schaurink, pastor in Beerthe, is mentioned. By 1702, the church had largely fallen into ruins. A description of the damage and of the repair is the only information known about the building. 1736: a fire in the sacristan's house spread to the church. 1758: major repairs to the church. In 1745, the monks of Cantimpré Abbey moved to Cambrai, and the former abbey was downgraded to priory status. The old church was demolished and replaced by the current one in 1784. The costs were borne by the priory. Consecration in 1787. Baptismal records starting 1666. Only a description: A Gothic, octagonal, limestone baptismal font from the sixteenth century in Hainaut-style. https://balat.kikirpa.be/object/27334".
Credit and Acknowledgements: We are grateful to Pol Herman for bringing this font to our attention and for his help documenting it
COORDINATES
UTM: 31U 583211 5621458
Latitude & Longitude (Decimal): 50.738942, 4.179264
Latitude & Longitude (DMS): 50° 44′ 20.19″ N, 4° 10′ 45.35″ E
MEDIUM AND MEASUREMENTS
Material: stone
Font Shape: octagonal (mounted)
Basin Interior Shape: round
Basin Exterior Shape: octagonal
Font Height (less Plinth): 116 cm*
Notes on Measurements: * [cf. FontNotes]
LID INFORMATION
Material: metal, brass?
Notes: bell-shaped dome with cross finial
REFERENCES
- KIK-IRPA, BALaT KIK-IRPA, 2024. URL: https://balat.kikirpa.be/.