Open Churches Days at
Sint-Martinus

As far as is known, before 800 there were only two parishes in the Bruges Ommeland, namely Sijsele and Snellegem, both dating back to large expanses of Frankish domains from the 6th century, located in the sandy region and separated from each other by the Reie.

Probably in the first half of the 11th century, a Romanesque St Martinus kerlk was erected as the main church of the parish of Sijsele. (The Church of Our Lady in Bruges was then a daughter church of the parish of Sijsele until 1116). Only since 1559 was the parish of Sijsele added to the new diocese of Bruges (previously diocese of Noyon-Doornik and St Martin's Chapter Utrecht).

After destruction in 1578 (Geuzenstrijd) and discontinuation of renovation works (French Revolution) at the end of the 18th century, a new church was built in 1890.

 The organ played during the Open Church Days dates from 1969 (Loncke, Esen), incorporating remnants of the previous organ (1905) by Cloetens (Brussels). However, the original organ dates from 1760-1780, installed by P. Van Peteghem (Ghent).

 Ref: Inventory of Architectural Heritage-Damme pp.391-394.