Chapel of Notre Dame de Lourdes

The chapel is located along the Route de Blocqmont. There is a decorated chapel and a small cave.

The chapel was erected in honor of Gaston Anciaux who became a civilian victim of the First World War. On August 15, 1914, the Germans invade Houx. They take the men as hostages and force the women and children into the church. 14-year-old Gaston Anciaux is hit by 2 German bullets on the doorstep of his house. One broke his left arm and the other hit him in the back, grazing his ribs. The Germans enter the house and shoot from the top of the stairs into the basement. Fortunately no one is hit.

43 of the 72 houses are set on fire in the attack. The mayor is captured and a father is mortally wounded.

Gaston died on September 23, 1925 in Lourdes.

willem vandenameele