4 Maasmechelen churches to be repurposed, Diocese confirms

Maasmechelen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – 4 churches in Maasmechelen, including Meeswijk and Kotem, will be repurposed under a plan by the Diocese of Hasselt, with final decisions made after structural surveys and community input.

As VRT News reported, 4 churches in Maasmechelen are set to receive a new purpose in the coming years. The decision comes as more municipalities across Flanders look for new uses for church buildings that are no longer regularly used for worship. 

They mentioned that attendance at services has dropped, the number of priests has decreased, and maintenance costs keep rising. The Diocese of Hasselt, together with the local pastoral team and church councils, has identified several churches that will be repurposed. 

What are the plans for the 4 Churches in Maasmechelen?

The church in Meeswijk will be the 1st in Maasmechelen to be repurposed, as it is used the least for religious services. The church in Kotem will also get a new purpose, and parish members will join the congregation in nearby Boorsem. 

People who now attend services at the church in Mariaheide will in the future go to St. Barbara’s Church in Eisden. The Diocese of Hasselt and the local pastoral team want to keep religious life active while managing church spaces more efficiently. 

The 4th church to be repurposed will be either the one in Vucht or the one in Leut. A final decision will be made after a structural survey is completed to check the condition and safety of both buildings. The study will help determine which church is more suitable for a new function. 

Officials mentioned that it has not yet been decided what the new roles of the churches will be. The repurposing process will take several years and will include input from residents, parish members, and heritage experts.

The decision to repurpose several churches in Maasmechelen is part of a wider plan that began in Flanders a few years ago. In 2018, the Flemish government asked municipalities and dioceses to prepare plans for church buildings as attendance continued to fall. Many parishes have since been merged to cut costs and make better use of space. The Diocese of Hasselt started reviewing its churches around 2020 to find long-term solutions that protect both faith life and heritage.