This chapel bathes in an atmosphere of popular devotion: constantly, candles are lit, the altar is always overwhelmed by flowers, and devotional messages are fixed on the walls. Because of its situation at the Shoemakers’ Market, it is known as ‘the Shoemakers’ Chapel’.
Anyway, it was not the chapel of the shoemakers, but it was a house of charitable work, founded by a rich merchant of Dortmund, Hendrik Suderman. Some twelve poor women who were living there had to do some handiwork to fulfill their essential needs. The time of the chapel’s construction is not known.
After the French occupation, the chapel came under the responsibility of the commission of civilian houses of charity. Since the erection of a new pensioners’ house in the Lozannnastraat, a part of this house of charity was demolished and in 1887 the chapel came once again under the authority of The Church of Our Lady. Even the collection of paintings was moved to the office of the commission of the civilian houses of charity, nowadays the Museum of Maagdenhouse.
Within the redecoration (at the end of the 19th century), the altar was redone in classic baroque style, God the Father is seated under an awning in the company of the three divine virtues. In a gilt halo, the Holy Spirit in the shape of a dove descends to Mary and the Child.
Very particularly, there is also a series of six candle holders, again in classic baroque style, the bases of which show a series of different types of transportation for which people seek divine protection, for example, a steam train. The plane had not yet been invented.
Laatste wijziging op 9/8/2002
Description of the chapel of Our Lady of Refuge