The Keune chapel was built in 1906 on the grounds of the Brussels Lafosse family, who came to the Hôtel des Dunes on holiday. The construction of a house of prayer on the grounds of the Catholic family meant a promotion for the fledgling seaside resort. The small chapel was designed by the Brussels architect Alfred Knein. During the First World War, the soldiers of the Yser Front initially spent the night there. Later, the chapel was used by refugees from Nieuwpoort, who attended religious services there. The design of the chapel, a modest brick building on a rectangular plan with whitewashed walls and a red tiled roof, is somewhat reminiscent of a fisherman's cottage. The presence of many dune rabbits in the immediate vicinity soon gave rise to the name 'Keune chapel'. In the 1930s, the chapel became far too small for the flourishing seaside resort. In 1935 it was closed for worship and the sacraments were
transferred to a new church in the Strandlaan. The municipality of
Koksijde purchased the ‘Keunekapel’ in 1980 and gave it a
cultural purpose. Since 1995 the municipality has organised exhibitions there on
a regular basis. Be sure to also take a look at the beautiful
sculpture garden.