Kattem Discovers 2.18m Cross Connected to 1783 Incident

Roosdaal (Eurotoday) – In Kattem, Roosdaal, a 2.18-meter stone cross marks the spot where Johannes François Carlier died in 1783. Kris Lemans and Team Kattoem uncovered it, sparking interest in its history.

People are trying to learn more about the cross found at the intersection of Hazeveldweg and Profetenstraat in Kattem, Roosdaal, a municipality in Belgium, province of Flemish Brabant. They used computers to reconstruct what the cross might have looked like in the past. However, questions remain. They want to determine whether the cross was moved from its original location.

Locals are seeking help. They hope someone has old photographs or documents that could shed light on the cross’s history. Even small pieces of information could be valuable. The people of Kattem are eager to uncover the full story behind the cross, believing it is essential to preserve their village’s history.

How did Kattem’s 2.18m cross remain hidden for centuries?

The cross measures 2.18 meters in height, surprising Kris, a local resident. He noted that such a large monument must have been an impressive sight in the past. It was too big to fit in the village chapel, so they had to find a new place for it.

Now, the cross is housed in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. The people of Kattem want it to remain there permanently as a symbol of their village’s heritage. They hope the church council will allow it to stay.

It must have been a beautiful monument,

says Kris.

Because the cross suddenly turned out to be much larger than expected at 2.18 meters, we could no longer get it into the chapel. That is why it was given a place in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Kattem, where hopefully the church council will allow it to remain.

According to officials, the cross marks the spot where Johannes François Carlier died in 1783. He had been transporting firewood in a horse-drawn cart when the horse slipped on the uneven road. The cart overturned, and the firewood crushed Carlier, killing him instantly.

The people of Kattem erected a cross at the site of Carlier’s death, and it has remained there for over 200 years. The monument serves as a reminder of the accident. Locals have always been aware of its significance. Recently, the discovery of old documents detailing the incident has renewed interest in the cross and the village’s history.

The villagers initially wanted toblank”> move the cross to the chapel. However, it was buried deep in the ground and could not be excavated with shovels and pickaxes alone. A gardener with an excavator was called in, and after several hours of careful work, the cross was successfully unearthed.