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Celebrating Belgian Heritage Through Chocolate

It’s not often that indulging one’s love for chocolate can benefit the community, but that will be the case Aug. 13, when funds raised by an all-you-can-eat Belgian chocolate buffet will help convert a former Catholic church into a Belgian Heritage Center.

St. Mary of the Snows was built in Namur in 1891. The brick building replaced an earlier church erected after the disastrous fire of 1871. It was the heart of the large Belgian Catholic community and for more than a century was the scene of marriages, baptisms and funerals, as well as Kermis celebrations and other social occasions. Then in 2003, the diocese closed the church and announced plans to demolish it. Fortunately, that’s not going to happen.

People who love history – and the world’s best chocolate! – can help with the preservation effort by indulging at the Belgian Chocolate Buffet Night at the former church now resurrected as a Belgian Heritage Center.

The program will feature Christian country music by Parks, Phillips and Co., a slideshow on the history of chocolate, and all the chocolate you can eat.

George Evenson, who lives near Institute, is a Norwegian Lutheran, but he is passionate about preserving history. The long-time president of the Door County Historical Society has been influential in saving a number of sites in the county and making the community aware of their significance.

When he heard that the little church was to be destroyed, he enlisted the help of Bill Chaudoir, Bill Laatsch and Ellen Alexander to buy the property. Within a year, they had spearheaded the formation of the Namur Belgian Heritage Foundation, had the building recognized as a National Historic Site, developed a plan for its use and raised enough money to convince the Catholic Diocese that the group was able to carry out the project.

Parts of Namur and Gardner were named a National Historic District in 1995. It is one of the rare places in the United States with such a strong ethnic bonding, and the church has always been a strong influence on maintaining Belgian customs and language.

Plans for the former church include a Belgian Heritage Center, a genealogy research center, a place for the community to gather to enjoy Belgian-type entertainment, and possibly a shop to sell products imported from Belgium.

The community is responding to the renewal of the place that was a focal point of their lives for generations.

“It is wonderful to see the families come,” Evenson says. “From small children to the elderly, they have celebrated cherished remembrances of the former church’s importance throughout their lives.”

POPOUT

Belgian Chocolate Buffet Night

August 13, 6:15 pm

Namur Belgian Heritage Foundation (St. Mary of the Snows), Highway 42, Brussels

Celebrate the renewal of St. Mary of the Snows with Christian country music by Parks, Phillips and Co., a Belgian chocolate buffet, and a slideshow on the history of chocolate. $15. Call Rebecca Charles at 920.837.7229 for more information.