The original chapel was situated within the domain of the Counts of Flanders which was, except for the part along the river Lys, fully walled.

By request of Balduin IX and his wif Mary of Champagne, the chapel was extended and became church.

Inside a collegiate chapter with twelve canons in honour of our lady was installed by request of the Count.

[2] Th count provided himself the Prebendaries and gave important relics, that came from Jerusalem with the crusades.

The castle was not restored and the domain was parcelled out (O.L.V.-straat, Konventstraat, Guido Gezellestraat, Kapittelstraat and Pieter de Cockelaerestraat).

The church also contains other important treasures such as the altarpiece of Anthony van Dyck’s Raising of the Cross.