 The dimension of the church and the preciosity of the painting stated its importance and witnessed the intention of their founders of transforming Ename in a main trade center.When the village became property of the abbey, in the 11th century, the commercial activity of the trade settlement moved to the near center of Oudenaarde and the population decreased.The church was then too big for the village and the abbey transformed the lateral naves in several side chapels dedicated to the cult of different saints.