De Mariakapel in Westelbeers

Although the existence of a chapel is not known, notarial documents from 1621 indicate that there was "... a small chapel or house there, in which the memory of Our Lady and Saint Job is kept, which was completely destroyed by the rebels of His Royal Majesty and then rebuilt." The destruction described here likely took place in 1580 during the Eighty Years' War.

The first chapel was made of wood. In 1637, a stone chapel was built, as indicated by the construction year found in the chapel's back wall. The construction was likely prompted by a plague epidemic that heavily affected Westelbeers.

The Mariakapel is dedicated to Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel. From the 17th century, an annual pilgrimage from Westelbeers to Scherpenheuvel took place. The chapel was renovated several times. In 1937, on the expense of the main master of the Beerse procession to Scherpenheuvel, a tower with a clock was added to the chapel. The tower was designed by architect Jos Bedaux. Since 2021, no pilgrimage has taken place.

On both sides of the chapel, there are stained glass windows. On the left side, there is an image of Saint James, the patron saint of pilgrims, with pilgrimage attributes such as the pilgrim's hat, staff with a water bottle, and the typical pilgrim's bag and food for the journey. It is a reference to the annual pilgrimage from Westelbeers. On the other window, there is an image of Mary as a pole or cloak Madonna. She wears a high golden crown on her head and holds a golden scepter in her right hand. Her son Jesus sits on her left arm, wearing a decorated golden crown on his head. The artist obtained permission to depict the faces of some residents from the area in the chapel's window. The window was established by Mrs. Maria W. de Bruijn, signed: Sybille 1985.