Tympanum 1542 from the wall of St Sebastian's Church.
A church already existed in the 11th century. Reworked several times, the current church dates back to 1584 for the high square tower, as indicated by the date shown above the loophole, and to 1761 for the nave and choir.
If you go around the building to the left, you will find a tympanum at the bottom of the outer wall of the vestry.
The history of this tympanum is linked to Thierry Warnot de Belleflamme a lawyer from Liège who was appointed parish priest of Olne in 1542.
When he arrived, he had a tympanum reconstructed and placed above the entrance door to the presbytery. You will find a similar element in the choir of the church above the entrance door to the vestry.
Take a good look at this semi-circular stone, which usually sits above the lintel of a door. It is sometimes called a frontispiece, ie a small pediment.
What do you see engraved on this stone element?
A small clue, our parish priest was actually Thierry Warnot… de Belleflamme.
Yes, that's it. You are not dreaming, there is indeed an almost naked woman carrying fire and flames! From Beautiful Woman (belle femme) to Beautiful Flame (belle femme), all fire, all flame!
History does not say whether this venerable parish priest enjoyed less spiritual pleasures.
