Saint Hubert's Chapel, magnificent Eifel Gothic and a fascinating cemetery

This chapel is a jewel among the numerous rich East Belgian churches. The excellent location alone, high above the Our valley, makes them worthwhile. The artistic and architectural history, the cemetery and the quiet surroundings also form a harmonious whole. The church of "Wewilwre" was first mentioned in a document in 1312 and it is believed that the current tower dates from that time. The nave and choir were built and expanded in the 15th and 16th centuries. Since then, there have been only insignificant changes, which contributes to the impressive effect of the whole complex.

In 1678, 1711 and 1918 the tower was struck by lightning. In the last fire, the bells fell to the ground and broke. On June 10, 2005, a serious burglary was committed in the church: statues of Mary, angels and the patron saints Saint Hubert, Saint Wendelin and Saint James were stolen and never found. However, they overlooked the 14th-century cross above the entrance to the tower. It used to be part of an ossuary located in the corner of the choir and nave. In this ossuary the excavated skulls and bones were kept. De-knuckling happened when there was not enough space available for new graves.

The tower roof is special: it consists of seven parts. The number seven was 'sacred'.

Inside, a heavy central column that supports the star vault is immediately noticeable. In addition to the well-preserved choir, it creates an atmosphere of refuge-like togetherness. The main altar from 1774 is the work of the sculptor Stennes from Neuerburg and was shielded three years later by Pierre de Hainausse. On the rococo paneling is a bas-relief of Saint Hubert in the classic scene of the deer. On the back wall of the canopy we see an Annunciation of Mary and the Apostles.

The choir stalls can only accommodate a few people, but with the rotating iron arms of the lecterns and the carved eagles on a sphere, they respond to the ritual of the monastic hour prayer. The rococo pulpit is surprising.

In the carpeting of the nave there are several grave slabs and grave crosses of former priests of Weweler, Reuland and Thommen from the 16th and 17th centuries. The inhabitants of Weweler, Reuland, Lascheid, Alster and Stoubach still bury their relatives in the cemetery around the church. The cemetery contains some exceptionally beautiful graves, sometimes with large figurative sculpture or a noble shield. Some of the statues you see here were partly destroyed during the French rule. See also the special fresco on the southern outer wall. In 2003, a new burial chapel was inaugurated next to the cemetery.

Jan Rymenams