About this place
Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Banneuxkerk is the parish church of the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Banneux district, in the northern part of Hasselt, at the junction of Hazelarenlaan and Kiewitstraat, in the Belgian province of Limburg.
How did this parish come about?
The land where the church now stands was, before the Second World War, a large stretch of heathland known as the Hasseltse Heide. Until 1927 it belonged to the Sint-Quintinus parish in Hasselt. That year, the new parish of Kiewit was created, and the former heathland area was folded into it. It wasn't until 1951, as the neighbourhood grew rapidly with new housing, that a separate parish was carved out for it — Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Banneux, named after the Marian apparition site of Banneux in Belgium.
How was the church built?
The foundation stone was laid in 1966, and the church was consecrated in 1968. The building was designed in a modernist style: a sober, box-shaped structure without the ornamental flourishes typical of the region's older, neo-Gothic churches. A 37-metre tower was attached to the main volume, and it still serves as a landmark visible across much of the district.
Has the church been renovated?
Yes, the building has gone through several rounds of work. In 1988 both the church and its tower underwent a thorough renovation, designed by Hasselt architect Aimé Wolfs. Further renovation followed in 1999, with additional improvements carried out in 2009 and 2010. Through these successive phases, the church has kept its original modernist character while being adapted to ongoing technical and practical needs.
What's worth knowing about the surrounding area?
The church sits at the heart of a residential neighbourhood that grew up on former heathland during the second half of the 20th century — the area's layout, with its wide streets and single-family housing, reflects the character of Hasselt's postwar suburban expansion. The church tower, visible from many points in the district, makes it a useful reference point for anyone exploring this part of the city on foot or by bike.
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is the church located? At the junction of Hazelarenlaan and Kiewitstraat, in the northern part of Hasselt, in the province of Limburg.
When was the church built? The foundation stone was laid in 1966, and it was consecrated in 1968.
What architectural style does the building represent? Modernist, with a simple, box-shaped form and an attached 37-metre tower.
Has the building been renovated? Yes — major renovation work took place in 1988 (architect Aimé Wolfs), with further work in 1999 and improvements added in 2009–2010.
Where does the parish name come from? From the Marian apparition at Banneux in Belgium, to which the church's dedication refers.
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