The story of the Duinberg chapel, which was created by the Huygen family, starts in 1882.
During the consultation hours of the religious of Rethy, on the day of Hoogweerdig in 1882, Mr Jos Huygen suggested that a chapel should also be established on the Duinberg. To this, Ma Soeur Antonia replied that Jos, as the owner of a piece of the cleanest land in the entire hamlet, should only put one up himself, starting with a statue on a stake. However, nothing came of this.
In 1883, the religious of Rethy received a beautiful statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus as a gift.
Not knowing where to place the statue, letters were sent to several churches, but all were already provided. Whereupon Ma Soeur Antonia summoned Jos Huygen to the monastery.
Upon arrival, Jos was told the following proposal: “If you place a chapel on the Duinberg, we will place the statue in it.” So said, Jos Huygen went home and discussed this with his brothers and sisters, after which they all gave their consent to build the chapel.
On April 13, 1884, the foundation stone of the chapel was laid by Coleta Huygen, only daughter of one of the founders. On May 31, 1884, the Sacred Heart statue was placed in the chapel by the Huygen brothers.
Since then, Duinberg also had its own chapel.
In 1998, the chapel was donated to the municipality of Retie by the heirs of the Vos – Deams family. Together with Regional Landscape Kleine and Grote Nete, this spot was upgraded and transformed into an extraordinary picnic spot!
Tasty!