St. Stephen's Church Nederokkerzeel

The parish would have existed around 750, located within the double bend of the Liststraat.

The St. Stephen's Church was originally a typical villa church or domain church and on the basis of writings it can be said that in the 12th century the domain of Nederokkerzeel became the property of the Norbertines of the St. Michael's Abbey in Antwerp.

During the 1st phase in the 12th century, St. Stephen's Church was probably a Romanesque single-aisled church with a square choir and a semicircular apse on the east side. Above the choir was a square choir tower from the 13th century, which was low in relation to the original roofing of the nave and was probably covered with a pyramid-shaped roof. Between 1300 and 1425 (2nd phase) the construction of the north chapel on the north side of the choir is situated. However, the vault of the chapel with cross rib hanging dates from the 17th century.

In the baptistery you will find a Gothic mural representing the legend of the blind soldier Longinus. Legend has it that the blind soldier Longinus, with the help of his servant, gave the lance stab in the heart of Jesus. A splash of blood saved the blind soldier from his blindness, after which he also repented.

Bieveulen