Chapel of Our Lady of the Waterhoek - Damme

There has been a chapel on this site since the end of the 18th century , see the Ferraris map (1770-1778) and 19th-century staff maps.

The literature is divided about the date of construction of the current chapel: Van Poucke takes 1841 as the year of construction, commissioned by municipal councilor Leopold Dalle; Vermeersch takes 1884 as the construction date, which was also stated in situ during the restoration. Examination of the historical land registry data indicates that the current chapel was constructed circa 1870.

Established to support the population as a result of flooding.

It is a small arched brick chapel (externally 175 cm long, 190 cm wide) under a tiled gable roof (ridge perpendicular to the road, Flemish tiles). Whitewashed walls with braiding on the rear facade, roof with lean-tos. Rectangular wooden door with rectangular glazing. Sober interior with plastered walls, see-through hood and red tiled floor. Presence of ex-votos and metal altar with wooden statue of Mary. Devliegher mentions a Louis XVI bow in the plasterwork of the rear wall; no longer available in 2004.

Willem Vandenameele