Once standing proudly on Rue Colson in Lille stood Chapelle Saint-Joseph. It was part of the Collège Saint-Paul. This chapel held a certain notoriety in its final years. It faced the threat of demolition.
Let’s delve into the story of this now-gone chapel. The Chapelle Saint-Joseph du Collège Saint-Paul was designed by architect Auguste Mourcou. Construction finished in 1887. Its style was an eclectic mix of Romanesque and Byzantine influences.
The federation of engineering schools sought its demolition. These schools belonged to the Catholic University of Lille. HEI, ISA Lille – Junia, and ISEN were among them. Despite protests, the Ministry of Culture rejected historical monument status. Urgences Patrimoine and architect Étienne Poncelet voiced opposition. Poncelet was an honorary inspector of historical monuments.
The ministry’s decision became official in November 2020. Philippe Barbat, director-general of heritage, stated the chapel’s eclectic style was not historically significant enough. He noted that preservation would halt the engineering school’s 120-million-euro expansion. The expansion aimed to accommodate 8,000 students. The school, Junia, didn’t want to change its plans.
Junia pledged to restore the Palais Rameau. It is a listed historical monument. They also promised to reuse elements from the chapel’s decor.
Étienne Poncelet regretted the decision. He considered the Chapelle Saint-Joseph a unique architectural example. He cited its suspended cloister. He called it a repository of expertise. Also it was a historical testimony to the Jesuit presence in Lille.
Constructed in 1876, the chapel faced demolition despite protests. The Chapelle Saint-Joseph was ultimately demolished in February 2021. This was to make way for a new campus. Journalist Stéphane Bern called the demolition an “iniquitous act”. Former Minister of Culture Franck Riester tried to prevent it.
Today, little remains of the Chapelle Saint-Joseph du Collège Saint-Paul. It remains a point of contention. It represents the clash between progress and preservation.