Museum Church of Oud-Rekem

The Reliquary Shrine of Saint Petronilla

Groenplaats 4, Oud-Rekem

The Museum Church of Oud-Rekem is definitely worth a visit! It's home to the reliquary shrine of Saint Petronilla. Her skull is one of the relics and is said to offer protection. Discover the shrine's fascinating story within the peaceful surroundings of the church.

Museum Church of Oud-Rekem

In 1704, Count Ferdinand d'Aspremont-Lynden was granted permission to demolish the old parish church on the castle grounds and build a new church on Groenplaats. When the choir and part of the nave were completed, he halted the work because of a conflict with the clergy. Work began again in 1722, when his sister Countess Antonia and her husband Count 't Serclaes de Tilly intervened. They financed the construction of the tower and donated the main altar and two confessionals. After a devastating fire in 1755, which also destroyed 21 homes, the church was reopened in 1774 and has undergone several restorations since then. In 1956, the church ceased functioning as a parish church and was transformed into a museum and tourist information point. It was officially recognised as a protected monument in 1969 and renamed the 'Museum Church'. The Baroque church with classical elements houses a richly decorated pulpit, statues and a trompe-l'oeil behind the main altar, among other things.

A tall brick church with a bell tower and clock under a clear blue sky. Sunlit tree on the right. Peaceful and historic atmosphere.

Gemeente Lanaken

The Reliquary Shrine of Saint Petronilla

Around 1500, the head of Saint Petronilla was gifted a beautiful oak reliquary. In 1620, the Knight of Ophem brought this relic from Dortmund to Rekem. A year later, Count Ernest d'Aspremont-Lynden of Rekem provided a new iron reliquary, which bears the inscription: CAPUT SCTAE PETRONELLAE BEATI PETRI FILIAE, meaning 'head of Saint Petronilla, daughter of the blessed Peter'. According to legend, Petronilla was the daughter of Peter, although she probably lived in the 2nd or 3rd century. She was beheaded after being denounced as a Christian by a nobleman whose marriage proposal she rejected. The skull in the shrine is wrapped in textile from 1886. A wooden panel from a sacristy cabinet was used for the back wall. Petronilla is depicted on a red background and holds a book and a palm branch. Her green robe accentuates her red pointed shoes and pearl necklace. With her peaceful countenance and serene gaze, she radiates calm.