The oldest signs of human occupation are graves from the Roman period, with the old Roman road from Bavay to Cologne running through the area.[1] The oldest recorded mention of the village, as Malla, dates from 1111.[1] The medieval lordship of Mal was subject to the Prince-bishopric of Liège, with the Van Elderen family being considerable local landowners.[1]
The church of Mal dates back to the 9th century, originally as a chapel of ease and by the 13th century a full parish that also came to include the nearby village of Sluizen.[1] A history of the dual parish was written in the 18th century by the parish priest, Gerard Joseph Van der Meer, as Acta pastorum de Mall et Sluysen, and partially published posthumously.[2] Parish priests can be identified as far back as 1314.[2] The tithes were paid to Tongeren minster, and the right of presentment was claimed both by the chapter of that church and by the Old University of Leuven.[2] The medieval church, built in Romanesque style, was demolished in 1845 and replaced with a Neogothic structure in brick, designed by Joseph Dumont.[3]
