Chapel Leloup

This chapel dates from 1672 and is the oldest monument in Spa .

Tradition tells that Thomas Leloup, mayor of Spa, who escaped a shipwreck with his son , decided to build a votive chapel on this site, which at the time was the extreme point of the Vieux-Spa district to the west.

This small building, of the classical type, must have undergone some transformations over the later centuries. The current stairwells and the layout of the area date from the construction next to the Spa – Trois-Ponts railway line in 1863. This required major adjustments to the level of the surrounding land.

The interior is very simple ; however, it featured a few notable plays until the 1980s. The small stone altar is surmounted by a very beautiful wooden Christ from the end of the 16th century .

Formerly he was surrounded by two kneeling angels, wings spread, bust uncovered, which actually works well in the tradition of the School of Jean delCour. There was also a very fine statue of Saint Remacle , in polychrome wood and traces of gilding, in the Gothic style of the 15th century. This remarkable piece, completely restored, has adorned the decanal church of Spa for several years.

In the past, certain religious events took place over time, notably on the Fête-Dieu and at Christmas, as well as in the 1950s and 1960s.

Willem Vandenameele