Our Origins

We were founded by a mix between curiosity and friendship. A group of friends who occasionally met after Sunday Mass kept asking questions like, “What if we learn more about the story of Christ?” and “What about the achievements of Christians throughout history?”

Following an informal conversation with the Parish Priest, Fr. Bart, we decided to hold a youth meeting on Friday afternoons every other week. What began with just 5 friends quickly turned into something much bigger: a welcoming community of young people in the heart of the city.

After about a year, we gave a name and image to our group, officially naming it Anchored. During our conversations with Fr. Bart, he shared how Jesus Christ is the anchor in our lives: the One who keeps us steady during uncertainty, protects us in difficult moments, and prevents us from drifting. This idea also connects naturally with Antwerp’s historic identity as a port city on the river Scheldt, where the anchor has long stood as a symbol of hope and steadfastness.