Chapel of Our Lady of Czestochowa. A tribute to Polish aviators.

This chapel was recently built in 2016. It was an initiative by architect Jaspers in memory of the Vickers Wellington bomber Mk IV GR-Z Z1491 of the Polish 301 Sqn RAF, which crashed on August 18, 1942. The crew survived the crash. Three were able to escape from the Germans, while the other three remained in captivity until the end of the war. You can read their story on the panel in the chapel.

Jaspers had another connection to Poland: his architectural firm had already been active in Poland for 10 years in 2016. The chapel was built by Polish workers from a contractor in Rummen. Additionally, Polish workers came to Rummen every year during the fruit-picking season.

It is almost inevitable that the chapel is dedicated to Our Lady of Czestochowa. This Black Madonna represents support for the Polish people during countless conflicts that threatened their freedom. In the chapel hangs an image of the famous icon from the Pauliner monastery in Jasna Góra. After Lourdes and Fatima, Czestochowa is the most visited Marian shrine in the world.

Opposite the chapel, we can still see the old brick tram bridge. By the way, you are on the old tram line here. This is also evident from the numerous acacia trees that were once planted to stabilize the banks and today form a beautiful green screen.

Jan Rymenams