Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van het Heilig Hartkerk

Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van het Heilig Hartkerk is a parish church in Borgerhout, a district of Antwerp, located at Te Boelaarlei 11. The building dates from 1909, when it was constructed as a convent chapel linked to a religious community that had settled in this part of the city around the turn of the twentieth century.

How did the building's role change over time?

For its first decades, the chapel served as an internal place of worship for the resident religious community rather than as a public parish church. That changed in 1964, when the building underwent significant renovation and modernization, after which it was granted the status of a full parish church. From that point on, it began serving the wider Catholic community of Borgerhout rather than only the members of the religious house that had built it.

The parish attached to the church carries the name O.-L.-Vrouw van het H. Hart Borgerhout, Stenenbrug, a name that reflects both the church's dedication and the nearby Stenenbrug area of the neighborhood.

In 2009, the church marked its hundredth anniversary, counting from 1909, when clergy associated with the site began their ministry there. The anniversary was an occasion to bring the building's history back into local attention.

Where exactly is the church located?

The church stands on Te Boelaarlei, in the heart of Borgerhout — an Antwerp district known for its dense urban fabric and its mix of communities with diverse backgrounds. Its coordinates place it close to Krugerplein, a well-known local square that functions as a commercial and social hub for the surrounding streets.

What sets it apart from other churches in Borgerhout?

Borgerhout is home to several Catholic churches with related Marian dedications, including the nearby Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-ter-Sneeuwkerk, which can make it easy to confuse the two. What distinguishes this particular church is its origin story: it began as a private convent chapel and only later opened its doors to the broader parish community, rather than being built from the outset as a public place of worship. That two-stage history — first a closed house of prayer, then a full parish church — sets it apart from churches designed from day one to serve parishioners.

What should visitors know before stopping by?

The church sits in a densely built, urban part of Antwerp, well connected to the city center. The Krugerplein and Stenenbrug area is known for its multicultural character and lively street life, making it worthwhile to combine a visit to the church with a walk through the surrounding streets to get a feel for this part of the city.

As an active parish church, the building primarily serves its local religious community, so visitors should check service times in advance and be mindful that this is a living place of worship rather than a purely historical monument.

Frequently asked questions

Can visitors go inside the church? As a functioning parish, the church primarily caters to worshippers, so access for casual visitors outside of service hours may be limited; it is worth checking locally or with the parish beforehand.

Where does the church's name come from? The dedication "Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van het Heilig Hart" (Our Lady of the Sacred Heart) reflects the building's original purpose as a chapel tied to a religious community of the same name.

Is this the only church with this name in Antwerp? Borgerhout itself contains several churches with related Marian dedications, so it is worth paying attention to the full name and address to avoid confusing it with neighboring churches.

How can visitors reach the church? The church is located on Te Boelaarlei, close to Krugerplein, in a district well served by Antwerp's public transport network.