Abstract 

In a time of increasing secularization, churches are losing their religious function, yet they remain undeniably present in the landscape as monuments of community and identity. The Sint-Albertus Church in Zwartberg, one of the five mining cathedrals in Flanders, is such a structure whose significance has faded over time. This thesis explores how the church can not only be repurposed but more importantly reactivated as a dynamic and meaningful place within the community.

Mining cathedrals were more than just religious centers; they symbolized social stability, identity, and collective memory within the Campine coal basin. With the decline of the mining industry and the waning influence of Catholicism, their role as anchor points has greatly diminished. Nevertheless, these monuments still carry a shared past and offer potential for the future. This study argues that the Sint-Albertus Church is not merely a heritage object, but can once again become an active participant in community life.

This thesis consists of two parts:

Part I examines how the mining industry fundamentally transformed both the landscape and society — from an expansive heathland before mining, through industrial growth and the rise of the mining towns, to the post-industrial reality of today. The role of the mining cathedrals is also explored: how did they function as social, cultural, and religious anchors, and as symbols of power and community?

Part II focuses on the work of Henry Lacoste and forms the most extensive section of this thesis. His architecture combines monumentality, symbolism, and craftsmanship. The Sint-Albertus Church is studied as a Gesamtkunstwerk in which these elements converge. A thorough analysis reveals how this church was not only a religious building, but also a social and political statement. This insight is essential for a sustainable and respectful reactivation.

This thesis looks not only to the past but also to the future. How can the Sint-Albertus Church once again play an active role within the community? The reactivation strategy is based on the Weiterbauen principle, in which Lacoste’s architectural and symbolic power is not merely preserved, but strengthened. This does not mean static conservation, but rather a transformation that connects heritage with contemporary needs.

This research not only forms the academic foundation for my master’s thesis but is also a call to reactivate these unique monuments as vibrant beacons in our society. By allowing their rich history and architecture to speak once more, these churches can be revived as collective anchors that both honor the past and fulfill a forward-looking role.