St. Paul's Church, Ghent

Saint Paul's Church (Sint-Pauluskerk) is a prominent neo-Romanesque church located in the southern part of Ghent, near Saint Peter's Station. This grand white sandstone building stands out with its impressive domes, windows, and towers, featuring intricate decorative elements that make it a notable landmark in the area.

Historically, the church sits in what was once a rural region south of Ghent's city center, nestled between the Lys and the Scheldt rivers. During the Middle Ages, this land belonged to Saint Peter's Abbey and was part of the parish of the Church of Our Lady near the abbey. Following the abolition of ecclesiastical possessions at the end of the ancien régime, the area became incorporated into the city of Ghent, though the parish of Our Lady of Saint Peter persisted.

Urbanization of the area began in earnest in the early 20th century, transforming what was previously a rural landscape. A provostship was established in Sint-Pieters-Aalst in 1856, which led to the creation of several new parishes, including Saint Coleta in 1894. In 1902, the parish of Saint Paul was established, splitting off from the parish of Saint Peter's Estate. The first celebrations for the Saint Paul parish were held in the Schreiboom chapel until a provisional wooden church was consecrated in 1905. The current Saint Paul's Church, designed by architect Henri Valcke, was completed in 1930 and later protected as a monument in 2003.

The church’s design showcases classic (neo)Romanesque architectural elements, including round arches, round-arched friezes, two-light windows, and die capitals. It also features a narthex, a characteristic typically found in early Christian and Byzantine churches, adding to the historical and architectural significance of this magnificent structure in Ghent.