There is a house on Rommelaar

This stately house with a renewed façade from 1912 is on display on Rommelenplein. It is indeed showing off because the façade has turned away from the sunny side in order to be able to shine in the eyes of the passers-by. The house has a history of more than 400 years. From 1597, several generations of the Van Eertrijck family lived here. Presumably the 'progenitor' was Willem van Eertrijck who, according to the census of 16 October 1597, owned a hearth, two horses, five cows and two cattle and 3.5 bunderen (almost 4 ha) of land on Rommelaar. From 1655 the place of this family was taken by Jan Verloey, mayor of Rillaar.

Such homesteads suffered from the quartering of soldiers, especially in the second half of the 17th century, when the troops of the Allies and their archenemy Louis XIV were active in the region. In 1693 the homestead was to provide accommodation for a rider and horse. The owner had to supply candles for three guilders. All the more proof that wealthy people lived here is shown by the fact that in 1650 Andries was taxed for two horses, a foal, six cows and a cow. A quarter of a century later he already had three horses, seven cows and a cow. When he died in 1712 at the age of 74, he had already buried five children and four wives.

In 1724 a new house was built. This time in stone which is evident from the beam above the entrance door with the inscription "17–H.V.L.–E.D.P. 28". This means: 1728. Hendrik Van Looy – Elisabet De Preter.

In 1858 Petrus Storms became the owner of this house. Tradition says that in the absence of direct heirs, the owner donated the farm to his faithful servant. Until today, this family owns the house.

This house appears in the stories surrounding the legendary figure 'Peke Pastoor' (priest Van de Velpen, °Waanrode, 1758 – Our Lady of Tielt, 1858). In 1793 he became vice-pastor in Rillaar. According to tradition, during the French rule he had a hiding place in this house in the fireplace. In the barn he did mass for his parishioners. When he was pursued by the French, he managed to escape by putting them on a false track: on the bank of the Demer he laid his shoe and walking stick at night. They would have sought him for a while in Langdorp and in the Kempen. Eventually he was caught and imprisoned in the French town of Maubeuge. But he made it because we see him later as pastor in Tielt. Peke Pastoor died at the age of 99!

Jan Rymenams