Open Churches Days at
Sint-Anna

The parish, dedicated to Mother of God, originally depended on that of Westerlo, but after 1130 it came under the care of Tongerlo Abbey. In 1511, the parish was extended with that of Oevel. In 1514, on the grounds of the abbey, a parish church dedicated to St Anne was built. The present church was built in 1853-1856 to the design of Eugeen Gife.

It is a brick cross basilica facing south. The church has an eclectic architectural style, with neo-Romanesque and neo-Gothic style elements. The built-in north tower has five bays and a spire with four gables. The choir is closed on five sides.

Chronograms at the entrance read: proVIDI regII proVInCIa gUbernatoris teIChMann CUra eXUrreXI (1853) and gLorIosae annae Me saCrat antIstes presbYter CarDInaLIs engeLbertUs (1860).

Near the church one finds a statue of the Sacred Heart and a monument to the fallen during World War I.

Many objects in the church come from the former St Anne's church. These include paintings from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. In addition, an Our Lady with Child and a Calvary (14th century); 17th-century statues of St Anne, St Norbert and Our Lady Immaculate Conception.

The side altars are of marbled wood (3rd quarter 17th century), Also the confessionals are 17th-century. There is also 19th-century furniture: choir stalls and rood screen.

Source : Wikipedia