Colemont Chapel - Peer

Felix Colemont was born in Helchteren on July 21, 1836. On April 5, 1864, Felix married Maria Catharina Vrijsen, born on May 17, 1836.

This marriage produced six children : Jan Antoon, Hendrik, Pieter Jan, Maria Lucia, Pieter Jan, Pieter Hendrik. On January 17, 1878, Felix's wife, Maria Catharina Vrijsen, died at the age of barely 42. Felix married again that same year , now with Maria Theresia Lambrechts, born in Heechte1 on March 21, 1840. From this marriage came Joseph, born on June 20, 1879. Felix apparently did not have much luck in married life . Two children from his first marriage, Pieter Jan, died after one month. The fifth in line was named after his deceased brother, but died at the age of three.

The sixth in line, Pieter Hendrik, was dragged along by a cow while herding cattle and died at the age of nine ( † 04-10-1886). Reportedly, wasps and horseflies drove the beast wild. Hendrikus had wrapped the 'sea' around his arms. His arm was torn off by the runaway cow and he bled to death on the spot. In memory of this incident, around 1886, 'at the intersection of two earthen roads, (Achelmansstraat and Diestersedijk) against the edge of a coniferous forest', the chapel was erected in memory of Colemont Hendrikus. The chapel was completely renovated in 2003 by Jef Verslegers - Craeghs and is further maintained by him.

Willem Vandenameele