According to legend, a statue of Mary was hung on a cherry tree in 1452. The first stone was laid on 10 July 1457 and the first mass was celebrated on 2 July 1455. The chapel was consecrated on 3 May 1460. A place of pilgrimage developed around the statue in the 15th century.
In 1570, the chapel was enlarged by order of Jacob van Joigny, Baron of Pamele. This was probably the result of a vow by the baron's father who had been attacked by a crocodile in Egypt. An embalmed crocodile was housed in the chapel as a votive statue, but in 1804 and 1860 it was replaced by a painted wooden crocodile by sculptor Van Biesbroeck. The old chapel from the 15th century became a side choir of the new 16th century chapel.
In 1961, the 15th-century chapel was destroyed by fire, with only the statue of Our Lady being saved. In order to build a new chapel on this site, the churchwardenship organised an international architectural competition. The winning design was by architect Juliaan Lampens.
Construction began in 1963 and the first service was held in the chapel in 1965. After the consecration of the chapel, the concrete benches were replaced by chairs and the altar rests on carpet.
In the 1980s, several stained glass windows were hung.
Source: Wikipedia and information board on site