Doesn’t the name Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Délivrance just roll off the tongue? This chapel stands as a testament to faith. It also embodies gratitude. We are standing before a beacon of hope.
Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Délivrance is more than bricks and mortar. It’s a story etched in stone. It speaks of answered prayers. It echoes with centuries of devotion.
In 1840, a young Auguste Droulers had a vision. He wanted to honor the Sainte Vierge. He used the money he earned on Sundays to build this chapel. The Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Délivrance became his offering. It was a symbol of his faith.
These chapels dedicated to Notre Dame de la Délivrance were very important. Pregnant women would come here. They sought blessings for safe childbirth. They offered thanks for successful deliveries. The chapel became a sanctuary for expectant mothers.
Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Délivrance has a unique feature. It is a witness to a bygone era. On its right side, there was a douanier’s plaque. Douaniers were customs officers. The plaque allowed them to mark their presence. They used a special key to activate it. These plaques were spread throughout the area. They marked patrol routes.
Another Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Délivrance stands in Quesnoy. According to historian P. Ansar, it is the town’s most monumental chapel. Widow Mathieu-Rouzé founded the first chapel in 1820. It was dedicated to Notre-Dame de la Délivrance. Madame Paul Lepercq-Gruyelle rebuilt it near the Bergerie farm. She did so in memory of Mademoiselle Clotilde Lepercq.
During World War II, the statue of Notre-Dame-de-la-Délivrance found refuge. It was sheltered in the Saint-Michel church. In 1944, photos of prisoners lined its sides. As each prisoner returned home, their photo was removed. On October 7, 1945, the statue was returned. The four last parishioners carried it from Germany. A large procession followed. It included other madonnas and over 2,300 people. About a hundred were prisoners and repatriated deportees. They later restored the chapel in 1945.
The Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Délivrance that we are standing in front of has been through a lot. It suffered damage from a truck before the end of World War II. It underwent a basic restoration. There was a risk that it would be demolished. But it was fully restored in 1994.
A plaque on the altar tells a story. The ashes of Monsieur Muylle were scattered here. He actively helped with the 1994 restoration. It was his wish to have his ashes at the foot of the chapel. This happened on March 15, 1997.
As you stand here, consider the layers of history. Auguste Droulers built this chapel. It was nearly destroyed. It was lovingly restored. Think of the prayers whispered within these walls. Remember the customs officers. They once patrolled these streets.
The Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Délivrance stands. It stands as a reminder of faith, resilience, and community. It is a place where hope and history intertwine.