“Once upon a time there was Hellemmes-Lille, what do you know about this place?” That’s the question we will explore today. Hellemmes-Lille is not just a place on the map. It is a place with a soul. Let’s explore its interesting history.
Hellemmes-Lille, often called Hellemmes, was once its own French commune. It sits east of Lille. Since 1977 Hellemmes became a commune associée, which means associated commune of Lille. In 2023 around 17633 people called Hellemmes-Lille home. This makes it the most attractive commune in the area.
Hellemmes sits on 334 hectares, about 3.34 square kilometers. It nestles among Lille, Ronchin, Lezennes, Villeneuve-d’Ascq and Mons-en-Barœul. The town’s height ranges from 26.50 to 30 meters.
Centuries ago, Hellemmes was part of the Lille châtellenie. A stream called Maître-David used to flow through Hellemmes. It ran along the edge of town. This stream helped drain water from Ronchin and Faches. The water flowed into Lille’s ditches. The stream then emptied into the Flers marshes.
Back in 1571, Lille made a deal with landowners. The city needed land for the stream. The deal cost 2004 livres. That included compensation for crops. By 1779, conflicts arose over the stream’s upkeep. Eventually, the magistrate sold the land. Only a small part of the stream remained by then. Today, the Maître-David stream no longer exists.
Hellemmes was once known as Hellemmes-lez-Lille. A railway line connected the town to Saint-Amand-les-Eaux between 1896 and 1932.
Since 1977, Hellemmes has been linked to Lille. It has its own advisory council led by a deputy mayor. Franck Gherbi is the current deputy mayor. Some council members also sit on Lille’s city council.
Elections shape Hellemmes’s path. In 2020, Franck Gherbi won the municipal election. Hellemmes has been twinned with Chaudfontaine since 1998.
Hellemmes is easily accessible. The Mairie d’Hellemmes and Square Flandres metro stations serve the town. Several bus lines also run through Hellemmes.
One historical gem stands tall here. It is the church. The church’s bell tower dates back to the 15th century. In 1929, it became a registered historical monument. From 1871 to 1879, Charles Leroy built the church’s neo-Gothic naves.
The first church in Hellemmes was likely built around 1517. Archeological digs have revealed five stages of construction. This original church honored Saint Ghislain. He was a protector against childhood diseases. People held a celebration for him every October 9 until the 1960s.
In 1794, citizen Dassonville of Lille bought the church. Later, in 1800, messieurs Delmer and Monnet bought it back. They returned it to religious use.
During World War I, Germans seized the church bells. But the community replaced them in 1922. Today, Hellemmes carries its history proudly.
Hellemmes-Lille blends history with today’s life. It is a friendly town. It continues to grow. Hellemmes-Lille is a place where the past meets the future.