Heidekapel

Heidekapel is a small chapel in Vosseslag, a district of the De Haan municipality on the Belgian coast, built in the mid-20th century to serve residents of what was once a poor, sandy corner of the area northwest of the town centre.

How did a chapel end up in Vosseslag?

The Heide-Vosseslag region remained a neglected part of the municipality for a long time, held back by poor sandy soil unsuited to farming. That changed after the First World War, when the local population began to grow noticeably. In 1939, the Sisters of the Holy Childhood from Ardooie founded a neighbourhood school there to serve the area's children. Starting in 1943, weekly Mass was held inside the school building, an effort meant to strengthen religious life in the expanding community.

When was the chapel itself built?

In consultation with the sisters, a chapel with an adjoining rectory was built next to the school in 1955. The design came from architect Maurice Haegebaert of De Haan, while the construction work was carried out by Oscar Beirens of nearby Vlissegem. The building was consecrated on 3 April 1955. Seven years later, in 1962, the Heidehoek neighbourhood was granted the status of an auxiliary parish, confirming the chapel's growing role for the local community.

What does the chapel look like, and where does it stand?

Heidekapel stands on the corner with Blauwelaan and is dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help — the source of the popular name attached to the Heidehoek auxiliary parish. Structurally, the building combines a concrete frame with coastal brick typical of the region. Its most distinctive feature is the saddle roof, built from prefabricated concrete elements with hollow cassettes, a construction technique characteristic of practical postwar architecture from the 1950s. The building was designed for a dual purpose from the start: alongside religious services, it was meant to double as a parish hall, evident in the raised platform at the main entrance and the gallery above it, intended for performances and community gatherings.

Does the chapel still serve a religious purpose?

No. Over time the building was bought by the nearby Heideschool and no longer serves a religious function. Even so, it remains a marker of this part of De Haan's history — a reminder of the era when a modest, sandy neighbourhood built its own identity through the efforts of the sisters and the local community.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the Heidekapel dedicated to? The chapel is dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

Who designed the building? Architect Maurice Haegebaert of De Haan designed it, with construction carried out by Oscar Beirens of Vlissegem.

When was the chapel consecrated? On 3 April 1955.

Can visitors still see it as a place of worship today? No — the building was taken over by the neighbouring Heideschool and no longer functions as a chapel, though it has kept its historic appearance on the corner of Blauwelaan in Vosseslag.