Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Kerselarekapel

The Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Kerselarekapel is a modernist chapel built from raw concrete featuring a sloped roof that extends into a covered entrance canopy. The open interior design allows clear sight lines from the altar to every corner of the space.

The original Gothic chapel was destroyed by fire in 1961, leading architects Juliaan Lampens and Rutger Langaskels to design a replacement completed in 1964. This reconstruction represented a shift toward modernist architecture in local religious buildings.

The chapel holds a 15th-century painted Madonna statue from the Mechelen Saint Luke's Guild that survived the 1961 fire and continues to draw pilgrims seeking spiritual connection. This sacred figure remains central to local religious practice and community devotion in the area.

The chapel can accommodate up to 1500 visitors during pilgrimages with accessible seating throughout the open layout. Its straightforward design makes it easy to move around and navigate for visitors of all abilities.

The building possesses distinctive acoustic properties shaped by its concrete surfaces that enhance sound quality during religious services. This natural resonance was a carefully considered element in the architects' design approach.

Location: Oudenaarde

Inception: 1964

Architects: Juliaan Lampens, Rutger Langaskens

Architectural style: brutalist architecture

Address: Kerzelare

GPS coordinates: 50.83045,3.62995

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:42