LOONBEEK



Loonbeek is located in the Margijs Woods on the edge of a plateau. The remains of a Roman villa discovered in the area attest to colonization of the region reaching back a few millennia. The name Loonbeek is believed to have been derived from Germanic origins. The oldest known reference to Loonbeek is from 1147, and was written as "Loenbeka", with the prefix derived from Lauha or Lon, meaning forested hill, and the suffix, baki, meaning brook, such as the Ijse.

Beginning in the 14th century, Loonbeek was governed by the family van Wilre. In the 15th century management of the region passed to the van Huldenberg family, under Jan van Huldenberg. In 1500, Walter van Huldenberg bestowed control of Loonbeek on Jan van der Vorst, died 1509. The van der Vorst family maintained control of Loonbeek until the end of the 18th century. In 1663, under King Philip IV, Loonbeek was elevated to the level of a barony.

In terms of ecclesiastical control, Loonbeek was divided between Neerijse and Huldenberg. The majority of Loonbeek was a dependency of the church in Neerijse until the end of the 18th century. The Hamlet of Klein Waver, however, was dependant on the church in Huldenberg until 1875. The original parish church was erected in 1415. Although Loonbeek was dependant on Neerijse the people were allowed a voice in the selection of their chaplain. In general, the chaplains in Loonbeek were limited to the celebration of mass, although they were often called upon to function as a full pastor. During the governmental reorganization under the French administration (1794 – 1815) Loonbeek became a truly autonomous parish.


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last updated 4/27/06