(Church)
The instigation for construction of the church of Notre-Dame de Laeken came with the death of the first queen of the Belgians, Louise-Marie, who died in Ostend on 11 October 1850. On her deathbed, she expressed the wish to be interred at Laeken, her favorite residence, and King Leopold I resolved to build a church to replace the chapel that dated from the Middle Ages. A decree of 14 October 1850 stipulated that it would serve as a parish church to the community. From among two neo-Gothic designs, the king chose the plan submitted by Joseph Poelaert, one which reflected his own and the late queen's devout tastes. The cornerstone was laid on 27 May 1854 and it was consecrated on 7 July 1872, although it has never been completed.
Behind the high altar is the entrance to the royal crypt, where Belgium's kings and queens and other members of the royal family lie buried.
Historical Dictionary of Brussels. Paul F. State.