Our Lady Assumed into Heaven Church

This three-aisled Baroque church in brick and Ledese limestone, with a characteristic floor plan and southwest facade, was consecrated in 1727 as the abbey church of the Norbertines, after nearly 100 years of construction history. Since 1813, it has served as a parish church, but Abbot Ferdinand Vander Haeghen had a dual purpose in mind: the choir and transepts would serve as the monastery church, the nave as a pilgrimage church. The square east tower with a hexagonal lantern was only added between 1825-1844 under the direction of architect Lodewijk Roelandt (1786-1864).
The bright, richly decorated interior with a striking stylistic unity ensures that this church is praised as one of the most important places of worship in the country and one of the most complete art historical creations of the Dender region. The extensive choir stalls and pulpit date from the 17th century and were transferred from the older parish church, which was demolished between 1816-1828, but the remaining furnishings in the classicizing Baroque and Regency styles were completely created under the guidance of Abbot Vander Haeghen during the first half of the 18th century. The wainscoting on each side wall of the nave features ten painted scenes depicting Saints Cornelius and Cyprian, to whom the former abbey church was dedicated. The interior of the central dome, adorned with stucco decoration, is not to be missed.

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