Lapscheure
Where nature rules

General.
Lapscheure is an agricultural village that, thanks to its isolated position, is a true oasis of tranquillity, not only for people, but also for animals.  The remains of the medieval creeks are omnipresent, which attracts a wide variety of birds and animals.  Moreover, at walking distance of the village center, there is a nature reserve.  Amateurs of birds, amphibias and other waterwildlife: put on your boots and keep those binoculars within reach and skim those creeks!  Every season surprises you again with something new.

For those who like to take the bike: take the Zeedijk if you have the time.  If you don't have a terrainbike, you'd better take the Groenendijk towards the Zeedijk (because its not paved everywhere).  Who does have one, should have no problem to do the whole Zeedijk; at the end of this road you can see the ruins of the old church of Lapscheure.  Alongside the dike, you not only have a beautiful sight on the polders with sheep and birds, you will also see several warbunkers in all sizes.  Taking this road in the direction of the Damse Vaart, will lead you to the "Blauwe Sluis" (Blue Sluice).  Where the road crosses a small stream, you ride over this sluice.  Don't hesitate to step off your bike to have a closer look.  Further down the road, you reach the canal where you can take Kobus' ferry (end of Moordenaarsstraat).  Don't wait for the ferryman; it's self-service.  Once crossed the canal, you can see the remains of the fortress of Sint-Donaas.  If you continue to the south, you will soon end up in the peacefull village of Hoeke

Fixed events. 
Border and creek hike end of July, village fair end of July, rockfestival Laprock end of July.

Name.
About a thousand years ago, the village was called  Lapiscura; in the 12^th century it was Lappescura.  In the 13^th century: Lapscura; in the 14^th and the 15^th century: Laepscure, also Laepscuere; in the 16^th century: Laepschuere and since the 17^th century: Lapscheure.  The name refers to a barn, belonging to a farmer named Laepe.  In 1110 Balderik, bishop of Doornik donated to the abbey of St.Quinten in Vermandy, the patronage of the church of Oostkerke, together with the chapels from Lapscheure, Moerkerke, Wulpen on the isle of Cadzand and Waescapelle.

History. 
The first mention of the village goes back to a letter from the period 1019 - 1030 from the Saint-Peter Abby of Ghent.  Around 1200, Lapscheure became a parish and in 1240 a church, dedicated to Saint Christian, was built on top of the remains of a  former chapel.  During the 80-year war, in 1583 , rebels from the neighouring town of Sluis pierced the dikes of the Zwin, destroying the church and the village.  This formed the creeks, the most known one is called “Lapscheurse Gat”.  This creek still forms the border between Belgium and the Netherlands.  Until 1830 the water streamed along the “Blauwe Sluis” (1746 - Blue Sluice)  into the creek and so forth to the “Zwin.

In 1652, the present church was built with reusable materials of the destroyed church. She is the only church in the diocese, dedicated to the Holy Trinity and has as patron Saint Christian (as the former church).

During the 80-year war (1568-1648) Lapscheure found itself litterally on the frontline between the Northern and Southern Netherlands.  This explains the number of fortresses that were constructed in the direct surroundings.  The most known one was the fortress of Saint Donaas; others were fortress Frederik and Saint Job

During the Spanish succession war, the village again fell prey to the fighting.  In 1704, Lapscheure was conquered by the Dutch and added to the Dutch territory in 1715.  In the meantime, this situation has been "rectified", as a matter of speaking.

On the territory of Lapscheure, not far from the canal (Damse Vaart), there still is on old brick-yard.  A piece of industrial heritage that provided work for many people in the region during the last century.  Man may take from nature, but in the end, nature prevails.  The spades of claydiggers no longer rule in the claypitts, now wildlife has taken over that position.

With thanks to Guido Vermeersch for text review.