Classicist sandstone chapel 1734 - Our Lady of Help

According to the old Chronicles of St. Michael's Abbey of Antwerp, which had a dependency here in Nederokkerzeel, namely the "Lordship of List", the parish was in the twenties around the seventeen-hundreds, a "quade disease", probably the terrible cholera plague. The scourge made many victims in the bowl of the village; the hamlet of "Laer" was spared. Through the ancient tradition we learned that the inhabitants of the more remote hamlet of Laer dug wide and deep canals. The inhabitants of the village were not allowed to cross that boundary line. Aid, however, was given by the unaffected population, and for this purpose food, clothing, etc., was thrust from the other side (Laer) with long stakes to the infected side. Our Lady of Help was fervently invoked. With confidence the "Laerenaren" begged the powerful Mother of Heaven to spare them from the terrible disease. Which happened. Hence the erection of this chapel, which still exists today. The chapel was built in the year 1734 with white stone from the region and cost the sum of 300 guilders".
Two appropriate inscriptions, called chronograms, in which the year number 1734 appears, decorate the building. Outside on the façade:

MARIA WOULD LIKE TO ASSIST YOU IN NEDEROCKERZEEL

Source: www.kerknet.be

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