Forest chapel Buggenhout

The chapel was built in 1504 and expansion works took place from 1664 to 1677. These works lasted thirteen years because of wars and looting in the region. The de Bournonville family, the then lords of Buggenhout, adorned the gable with their coat of arms that later became the coat of arms of the municipality. To complete the works, a stone statue of Our Lady of God, to whom the chapel is dedicated, was placed above the entrance. Sculptor was Filip De Backer.

The simple turret was built in 1764. On the outer façade there are seven bas-reliefs in terracotta by the Leuven sculptor P.F. van Passel. These works of art represent the Seven Woes of Mary and were installed in 1858.

Inside we find a beautiful baroque interior. Above the altar (1680) is a statue of the Need of God in a niche. On the sides we find portico altars of Saint Eligius (1765) and Saint Roch (1768) by Anthony van Brunswyck. A confessional, communion bench and some paintings complete the interior.

The organ by Nicolaas Langlez from Ghent was built in 1686 and originally stood in the parish church. It was transferred to the chapel after renovation by Pieter van Peteghem in 1770. It was restored in 1957.

In 1949, the fifteen Stations of the Holy Rosary were erected around the chapel (Tondeleir and Son, Old God). The following year the chapel was restored.

In 1964, the statue of Mary was crowned papal.

Every year on the third Sunday after Easter, the novena begins in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows or the Forest Corridor.

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