The Basilica of Our Lady of Tongre is a Roman Catholic parish church and minor basilica

Minor basilica

Minor basilica is a title given to some Roman Catholic churches. By canon law no Catholic church can be honoured with the title of basilica unless by apostolic grant or from immemorial custom....

 in Tongre-Notre-Dame, Chièvres

Chièvres

Chièvres is a Walloon municipality located in the Belgian province of Hainaut. On January 1, 2006 Chièvres had a total population of 6,198. The total area is 46.91 km² which gives a population density of 132 inhabitants per km²....

, Belgium

Belgium

Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...

. Designed by architect J.F. Demarbaix, it is the smallest basilica of Belgium.

History

In his book dedicated to the pilgrimage site of Tongre-Notre-Dame, 17th century historian Father Huart describes the apparitin of the station of the Virgin Mary:
A chapel was erected on March 27, 1081. In 1093, Pope Urban II

Pope Urban II

Pope Urban II , born Otho de Lagery , was Pope from 12 March 1088 until his death on July 29 1099...

established the brotherhood of Tongre-Notre-Dame. In the 13th century, the original chapel was replaced by a Gothic church. In 1777, it was decided to build a larger church. Pope Pius XII gave the title of minor basilica in 1951.