Sint-Eventiuskerk

Sint-Eventiuskerk is a parish church in the Winterslag district of Genk, in eastern Belgium's Limburg province, located at Noordlaan 80. It was built in the 1930s to serve the residents of what was known as the second cité of Winterslag – a workers' housing estate built for the miners of the nearby coal mine. This mining origin explains the modest, functional character of the church's architecture: it was never meant to be a monumental landmark, but rather a place of everyday worship for the working-class community that settled around the colliery in the first half of the 20th century.

Who designed the church?

The church was designed by architect Auguste vanden Nieuwenborg, with construction dated to around 1935. It rose during a period of rapid expansion for Genk, when the town transformed from a small village into an industrial center thanks to coal mining. Churches like Sint-Eventiuskerk were built in a similar, almost standardized fashion across the successive mining cités of the region, to provide pastoral care for the growing number of families brought in to work the mines, many of them from abroad.

What does the church look like?

The building stands out from typical church architecture of its time: it is a white structure topped by a strikingly large, steeply pitched roof that also covers much of the choir section of the church. The roof is finished with orange-red tiles, giving the building a warm, distinctive color visible from a distance. Two small roof turrets sit on the ridge, but the church lacks a conventional tall tower – an unusual choice for a Catholic church of this period, underlining the modest, "popular" character of an architecture adapted to its working-class surroundings.

To whom is the church dedicated?

The church's dedication is unusual: its patron is Saint Eventius, a figure virtually unknown in general veneration, whose historical existence is nowadays questioned by hagiography scholars. This rare choice of patron saint sets Sint-Eventiuskerk apart from most other churches in the region, where dedications to well-known saints dominate.

What is happening with the church today?

For decades the church served as a center of religious and social life for the Winterslag district, forming part of the network of gebedshuizen (houses of prayer) in Genk, a city that in recent years has faced declining congregations and the need to reorganize its church properties. A symbolic moment in the building's history came on Sunday, June 28, 2026, when a thanksgiving service was held at 11 a.m., presided over by dean Luc Herbots, during which the local faith community said goodbye to the church building they had known for generations. This event mirrors a broader trend seen across many Belgian towns, where parishes merge or cease using particular buildings as pastoral needs evolve.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Sint-Eventiuskerk located? At Noordlaan 80 in the Winterslag district of Genk, in Limburg province, eastern Belgium.

When was the church built? Around 1935, designed by architect Auguste vanden Nieuwenborg.

Why does the church have no tower? Its architecture was adapted to the modest, working-class character of the mining estate it served – two small roof turrets replace a conventional tower.

Who was Saint Eventius? A little-known saint whose historical existence is questioned by scholars today; the church is one of the few religious buildings bearing his dedication.

Is the church still used for worship? In June 2026 a thanksgiving service marked the end of its role for the local faith community, suggesting a change in its status or purpose.