Parish Church of Our Lady and Saint Leodegarius

The parish of Bornem was first mentioned in the 9th century. There was probably already a place of worship at that time, which was demolished in the 11th century. Already in 1101 a church was mentioned on the site of the present church. It was then attached to the abbey of regular canons of St. Augustine. In the course of the 12th century, the church was further built in Romanesque architectural style: pillar basilica in the shape of a Latin cross. In 1120, the abbey was merged with the abbey of Affligem and transformed into a priory. In 1164 the church partially burned down. The church also served as a parish church. In 1253 a wall was placed at the level of the communion bench for separation. In 1603 the wall was demolished again. In 1828, most of the Romanesque church was demolished: only the outer walls of the choir, the eastern lower walls of the side choirs and the Romanesque crypt remain. The church was then rebuilt in late classicist style to a design by Vuillaume. She was enlarged and given a three-aisled nave. This was followed by several more changes: in 1864-1865 thorough works were done on the tower, in 1891-1892 work was done on the crypt, in 1910-1912 interior works were carried out to a design by Edward Careels. Later in the 20th century, several more restorations took place. Until 1905 there was a cemetery next to the church on the site where there is now a parking lot.

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