“A rain of roses will fall after my death.” These are the words of Saint Thérèse. They echo through the very stones of this church. Welcome to the Église Sainte-Thérèse.
Église Sainte-Thérèse stands as one of the most beautiful churches from the interwar period in the Lille metropolitan area. Charles Bourgeois from Tourcoing constructed it between 1927 and 1929. Its architecture blends traditional elements with resolutely modern Art Deco decorative features.
Now, look closer at the ceramics. Notice how they adorn the building. They give Église Sainte-Thérèse a touch of originality. The church’s construction was financed in a unique way. Abbé Delebart the parish priest used his own funds. He came from a wealthy family of textile industrialists. Donations from parishioners also helped. The workers newly settled in Wattrelos wanted a place for prayer.
Église Sainte-Thérèse de l’Enfant Jésus in Wattrelos is typical of the Art Deco style. The end of the 1920s was the golden age for this style. Yet, it was constructed in the neo-Roman style. Bourgeois admired Paul Hankar and Victor Horta. These Belgian architects and designers were key figures in Art Nouveau. Bourgeois and his father promoted Art Nouveau in the Nord region. He directed the Beaux-Arts in Tourcoing. He created many Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings in the Lille area. These included churches and mansions.
Instead of quarried stone Bourgeois chose reconstituted stone. It is an aggregate of cement which was often used from the 1920s. Sadly this stone proved fragile and crumbly. The church has been under renovation for years.
What is striking is its unique porch. The blue and pink ceramics are unusual. They are not commonly found on a church facade. Mosaics are a major element of Église Sainte-Thérèse both inside and out. The porch is topped by a statue of Saint Thérèse. The modest-sized portal features religious symbols in bronze. Roses frame them beautifully.
The decor and architecture of Église Sainte-Thérèse revolve around the rose. The rose is a symbol of Saint Thérèse. You will find it everywhere in the building. It is on the furniture stained glass ceramics mosaics vaults porch tiling columns friezes and confessionals.
The church is decorated with several ceramic friezes. They feature roses of different colors. Charles Fourmaintraux-Delassus from Desvres created them. The paintings of the Stations of the Cross are by Lucien Jonas. He was a famous painter known for his mining landscapes and war paintings. In one station Simon Peter wears a miner’s helmet. This is a nod to the mining basin.
The stained-glass windows depict the life of Thérèse de l’Enfant-Jésus. They also show saints who influenced her vocation. David Charles and Lesage then Duthoit and Rouland created the stained glass.
The baptismal fonts are covered in blue mosaics. The chancel dedicated to Sainte-Thérèse is also covered in blue mosaics. And of course the famous rose.
Several elements inside and outside the church were not sculpted. They were made of cement from molds prepared by the local sculptor Jules Clamagirand. On the facade and pillars of the nave you can admire seraphim.
Remember the story of the roses. Let the beauty of Église Sainte-Thérèse inspire you. It reminds us that even in the most challenging times beauty and faith can flourish. This unique blend of styles makes it a true gem of the region.