Memorial Chapel of the Miners

In 1969, the Wilhelmina State Mine was the second state mine to close its doors for good. Since its opening in 1906, the mining site has grown into a huge business complex that brought work and prosperity to thousands of miners' families.
Around the year 2000, apart from the spoil heap and the old OVS building, nothing seems to be left of it. Yet there is still a modest reminder of the Wilhelmina State Mine. Near a clump of trees stands an overgrown, graffiti-smeared transformer house. It is the former morgue where injured miners were laid out.
When former miner Martin Herbergs visits his old workplace, he can barely orient himself to the empty plain in front of him. Nothing reminds him of the company complex until he discovers the transformer house. The idea grows to turn this into a chapel. A memorial chapel for all miners who have died in the South Limburg mining industry.
A place of remembrance for former miners and surviving relatives. The congregation is enthusiastic and the diocese gives its approval. A foundation is set up to take care of the transformation. After months of work, the unsightly building has been transformed into a beautiful chapel.
The consecration will take place on 8 September 2002. The Miners' Memorial Chapel is dedicated to Saint Barbara, patron saint of miners. On the altar is a statue of Barbara, made by former miner Sjef Drummen. The stained glass windows are by Ger Bäumler. 'Gluck Auf', this is what you can read on two glass medallions.
With this salute, miners wished each other a safe return to the surface. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case for everyone. The names of miners who died underground can be read on the plaques on both sides of the entrance.
The miners who died above ground are also commemorated. Their names are inscribed on a plaque inside the chapel.

Tourist Board South Limburg (Visit Zuid-Limburg)