Saint Joost Chapel

The St. Joost Chapel at 23 Ginnekenstraat is dedicated to Saint Judoc. He was venerated as a patron saint against contagious diseases and as the patron of pilgrims. The chapel is still popular among pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela.

The chapel was built in the first half of the fifteenth century. At that time, it was also associated with the Brotherhood of St. Joost. In 1518, a cemetery was consecrated by the chapel, initially intended for the local residents, but later mainly for poor people, suicides, executed criminals, and other undesirables. This cemetery was in use until 1827.

New function
In 1821, the chapel was converted into a residential house, but after World War II, the building regained its ecclesiastical function. The then Bishop of Breda, Mgr. Hopmans, promised in 1943 to build a chapel for the Holy Mary if Breda would be spared from major destruction. Immediately after the liberation, the municipal government offered the St. Joost Chapel for this purpose.

The renovation plans were drawn up by the renowned Breda architect Frans Mol. Among other things, he had to build a completely new choir. The artworks were created by the Breda artist Niel Steenbergen. The images in the stained-glass windows recall Breda in World War II and the liberation by the Poles. They were made by Gisèle van Waterschoot van der Gracht. 
On 3 May 1947, the chapel was consecrated by the bishop.