The Saint Bernard Chapel was built in 1947 by the Abbey of the Trappists, in the avenue between the abbey and the Antwerpsesteenweg. The chapel is located directly opposite Café Trappisten, a short distance from the sandy path. Few walkers bother to visit this chapel, but it is certainly worth a look.
Concise history
During the Second World War, the residents of Westmalle were regularly startled at night by overhead planes. These were aircraft of the British, which were on their way to Germany to bomb targets or just returned from there.
In the night of 24 to 25 August 1942, a British AVRO Lancaster bomber of the Royal Air Force crashed here. The seven-man crew was killed. The crew was buried in Westmalle cemetery.
A year later, on the night of 30 to 31 August, another RAF heavy bomber fell near the abbey, on the side of the brewery. This time it was a Handley Page Halifax. Six of the seven crew members died, they are buried at the Schoonselhof in Hoboken. The names of the crew members are on the memorial stone plaque in the chapel.
The chapel was built in a sober neo-Romanesque style under the direction of master builder Reyntjes. It was inaugurated on August 20, 1947 by Dom Robertus Eyckmans, in the presence of numerous prominent people. The chapel was built in honor of Saint Bernard for his very special protection during the Second World War.
Source Tourism Malle.Be