Our Lords Tree Chapel

The legend has it that one day in this formerly wooded area, a small crowned statue of Christ made of lime wood was found. The shoulders were covered with a mantle, the arms bound, a crown of thorns on the head, and a reed as a staff, while the body displayed bloody streaks. Out of reverence, the statue was brought to St. John's Church, where the miraculous statue of Mary also stands. The following day, the statue had disappeared and was found again in a bush. The statue disappeared a second and third time from the church; the pastor kept watch because someone could lend the statue a hand to return to the forest. As in true stories with also real miraculous images, this statue made its way back towards the forest alone; the forest dwellers decided to erect a simple structure for the statue because they judged that the statue wanted to be venerated where it was found. The oldest name for the chapel is therefore "Onzen Heirtjes Bus". Especially on Good Friday, the chapel is a busy pilgrimage site where people go to "serve" against fever. Young people and especially parents or grandparents sometimes come to pray for the passing of exams. In the vicinity of the fever chapel, there are lime trees, and that is not a coincidence because lime blossom is a well-known remedy for fever. Barking the tree and licking up the sap or eating dried bark were also proven remedies. At the chapel, trees and bushes hang with numerous strips of cloth because pilgrims were convinced that the fever or pain would go away by stepping backward to leave the place as quickly as possible and thus dispel the illness. Or the miraculous image took over the illness from the patient who passed it on. Those who mocked the miraculous qualities were punished: an illness recurs, a bullet strikes them, the bishop falls ill, their political party loses... In the past, this even led to a fair at the Hipshoek with a pony carousel, arguing waffle vendors over the location, and two cafés "In de Voorzienigheid" and indeed "In Ons Heeres Boompje". Centuries have passed, years have gone by, and the faith in the chapel remains deeply rooted in the people... need seeks comfort.

Contact information:
- Onzen Heeren Boompje chapel
- Provenseweg, Poperinge

- Closing: none

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