The Church of Our Lady ('Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk') in Gierle is the most remarkable of the four churches in Lille. There may have originally been a wooden church that was replaced by a small stone building in the 12th century on the site. Most local history writings invariably cite the inscription 1121 on the inside of the high choir, but no evidence of this has been found. The 16th-century tower has a square base with solid retaining walls, corner chains in white stone (unique in the Kempen region) and an octagonal bell tower with spire.
The church itself, built in late Gothic style, contains beautiful pieces from the 17th and 18th centuries, as well as three stained-glass windows from the chapel of the former Ursuline convent.
Visits possible by appointment with Vic Van Duppen +32 14 55 51 57 or
Paul Danneels +32 14 55 33 24.
