In Zevenbergschen Hoek in Brabant stands a Marian chapel that has previously been located in other places.
The Mary Chapel now stands at the third address, as this is the third time in the chapel's existence that it has been moved to a new location. The first location was in 1967 near the Moerdijk Bridge, and this was changed due to the construction of the motorway. The chapel's second location was found in 2002 due to the realisation of a railway line on the Oude Moerdijkseweg. For the third time, the Mary Chapel is being relocated due to an ever-expanding industrial estate. At the beginning of 2025, the third location will be on Hoofdstraat on the edge of the village of Zevenbergschen Hoek. The move will involve the use of heavy machinery, as the statue weighs 6,000 kg and the concrete floor weighs almost 7,000 kg.
The chapel is now located near the railway line, next to the house at Hoofdstraat 123 and opposite the house at Hoofdstraat 78a in Zevenbergschen Hoek. The Maria chapel was consecrated there on 25 May 2025.
The chapel was established in 1967 on the initiative of “Brabantia Nostra”. The sculpture depicts Mary with her Child and was made by Herman, Jozef, Aloijsius Maria (Manus) Evers (1903-1981). The architect is the Brabander Josephus Henricus Antonius (Jos.) Bedaux (1910-1989). The image is named “Duchess of Brabant” and is also referred to as “Our Lady of the Moerdijk” or “Lady of the Moerdijk”.
The text at the Mary Chapel reads:
“Stay, traveller! Welcome.
You are now entering Brabant.
But know, this proud Duchy
She has.”
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