Chapelle d’Élocques

“Lost in time,” a passerby mused, “yet still here.” The Chapelle d’Élocques. A humble structure nestled in the heart of Lille, whispering tales of resilience and devotion. The Chapelle d’Élocques stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith, having witnessed centuries of Hellemmes’s history unfold. Originally built in 1738, the Chapelle d’Élocques we see today isn’t the first to grace this spot. A prior chapel is mentioned in historical records, tied to the monks of Fives and a certain Mr. Bethune, a grocer on Lille’s Rue Neuve. This original structure sat upon the “Fief de la Hocques,” land belonging to the Jesuits of Lille. Disputes arose, with both Hellemmes and Fives claiming the Chapelle d’Élocques as their own. Despite a judgment favoring Fives, the chapel remained stubbornly tied to Hellemmes. Early in the 19th century, the Dordin family, local farmers, rebuilt the Chapelle d’Élocques. Family lore tells of Louis Joseph Dordin, who marched with Napoleon’s armies alongside his two brothers. While his brothers returned home safely, Louis was long overdue. His family vowed to rebuild the chapel in honor of Notre-Dame du Bonsecours if he returned. He did, albeit with a missing leg, and the Chapelle d’Élocques was reborn, a symbol of gratitude and resilience. Inside the Chapelle d’Élocques, ex-votos offer glimpses into personal stories of faith and divine intervention. One tells of Louis Dordin’s return, a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during the Napoleonic Wars. Another recounts the near-drowning of Delphine Catherine Joseph Samain in 1842, a young woman pulled from an abreuvoir just in time. For her, it was a miracle, an act of Notre-Dame du Bonsecours, commemorated in the ex-voto placed within the Chapelle d’Élocques. The Chapelle d’Élocques is more than just stones and mortar. It is a repository of Hellemmes’s history, a place where faith and community intertwine. As you leave the Chapelle d’Élocques, carry with you the echoes of its stories, a reminder of the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity and the quiet power of faith.