chapel on the Embankment, a chapel with elan (fire)

The chapel on the Scheldedijk between Temse and Steendorp has completely burned down. Frans Tusschans (78) maintained the chapel for more than twenty years. All that remains of the chapel is now a pile of burnt remains. 'A few weeks ago I noticed that something was not right', says frans Tusschans. I had planted more than sixty trees and half of them had their heads pulled out. I immediately reported it to the police, who drew up a police report, but I heard nothing more from them. Last Saturday, things went completely wrong. I got a call from someone who had driven past the chapel and told me that she had completely burned down. I was in shock and couldn't believe it. The perpetrators must have used petrol or something similar, because the large trees to the left and right of the chapel are also blackened," Frans says sadly. There is no trace of the statues of saints, the crucifix and the candlesticks. They were probably thrown away in the water.

'Who does something so pointless?', Frans sighs. "I don't understand. It was such a moody place, where many people stopped for a short prayer or a moment of reflection, and that is now completely gone.'

Love at first sight

'I was still working at the boel yard when I passed the totally neglected chapel on the Scheldedijk more than twenty years ago,' says Frans. "It was almost invisible because of tall nettles and was surrounded by weeds. I then took the initiative to renovate the chapel myself. The wood was serviced, there were statues of Saint Amelberga, Our Lady and Saint Teresa, next to copper crosses and candlesticks. I sowed grass, which I kept neatly all this time. I paid for everything out of my own pocket, but I was happy to do so. I enjoyed it and noticed that this also became an important place for other people. Every time I came here, there were candles burning.'

New chapel

Anyone who thought Frans was defeated is wrong. Together with his friends Julien Van Meervenne, who will take care of the woodwork, Freddy Hemelaar, who will take care of the ironwork, and François Van Royen, who will lay the roof tiles, Frans has already started the construction of a new chapel.

Anyone who wants to help Frans restore the chapel can always contact him on the telephone number 03-771.22.98.

Gregor Legein