St. Elizabeth's Church

Originally, the patron saint of the parish was Saint Lambert. The church was a branch of the church of Dilsen. In 1320 Stokkem became an independent parish. In 1605 the church almost completely burned down. In 1641, Saint Elizabeth of Hungary became the patron saint of the parish. Patronage and tithes were in the hands of the prince-bishop. During the demolition of the old church, a stone dated 1003 was found. This old church had a Gothic choir, as well as parts from different periods. The current neoclassical church was built in 1846-48 by architect J. Dumont (Brussels) on the site of the old church. Where this old church was oriented (Atlas van de Buurtwegen, 1844), the new church with the façade was placed on the Steenkuilstraat. The plan describes a two-aisled church with a nave of seven bays, built-in tower, a choir of a straight bay with flat closure, two side choirs in the last bay and a sacristy in each corner between nave and choir. Brick pseudo-basilica under gable roof (slates), on bluestone plinth. Round-arched windows with cordon-forming bluestone sills, bluestone arched cornice and continuous, bluestone imposts. The façade has bluestone corner bands and a middle ressault, also delineated with bluestone corner bands. Round-arched portal in a profiled bluestone frame, inscribed in a rectangular freestone frame composed of two Ionic pilasters supporting an entablature surmounted by a triangular pediment with cross. Three round-arched windows of the type described above. The tower has two sections under constricted needle spire (slates). Bluestone corner bands. Bluestone oculus in the lower section; round-arched reverberation hole of the type described above in each side of the upper section. Plastered interior. Covering of the central nave by means of a barrel vault on entablature. Covering of the aisles by means of cross vaults between round-arched belt arches on pilasters with moulded capitals and freestone bases. Cross rib vaults above the last bay and the choir, also supported by pilasters. Round-arched arcade between central and side aisles, on columns with moulded capital and bluestone base (465). Mobile: in the baptistery, painting depicting Saint Augustine of Hippo, canvas (18th century); painting depicting the coronation of Our Lady, oil on canvas (18th century); Stations of the Cross, oil on canvas, by Louis Daels, Leuven (1861). Statue of Christ on the cross, polychrome wood (early 18th century?); dressed statue of Our Lady and Child (circa 1600). High altar, painted wood (1668); side altars, oak, by Jan Dieterich van Maasniel near Roermond (mid-19th century). In the baptistery, portico altar, marbled wood (circa 1775). Pulpit, oak, by Jan Dieterich from Maasniel near Roermond (1847). Confessional, oak (17th century, door first half of the 18th century); confessional, oak (mid-18th century); similar confessional by Jan Dieterich van Maasniel near Roermond (first half of the 19th century). Communion rail, oak (second half of the 17th century). Reused tabernacle door, oak (18th century). Two churchwardens' pews, oak (1847). Pews, oak (mid-18th and mid-19th century). Organ by J. Binvignat (Maastricht), (circa 1805) and rood screen, oak (first half of the 19th century). Baptismal font, red marble, brass lid (mid 19th century). Exterior: in the former cemetery: cemented calvary (1935).

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