Watervliet is a village in the Belgian province of East Flanders and suburb of the town of Sint-Laureins.

Watervliet is part of the Meetjesland,[2] and is adjacent to the Dutch border.

Around 1500, Hieronymus Lauweryn van Watervliet commissioned the poldering of the land, and rebuilt the village.

[4] Even though Lauweryn was of common origins, he was awarded lordship of Watervliet by Philip the Handsome in 1507.

[7] Watervliet was planned to become a major harbour, hence the large size of the church.