Tired of the ordinary? Well, let me tell you about the Église Saint-Maurice-des-Champs. This church stands proudly on Rue du Faubourg de Roubaix in Lille. It’s a testament to faith and architectural ambition.
The Église Saint-Maurice-des-Champs emerged to serve the growing Saint-Maurice Pellevoisin area. Local Catholic leaders decided a new church was needed. They entrusted the project to Charles Leroy. He also designed the Cathédrale-Basilique Notre-Dame de la Treille.
Construction began in 1853. By 1860, the church opened for worship. However, it was missing something important: a bell tower. Carlos Batteur oversaw an expansion from 1877 to 1879. The eastern transept grew. A new sacristy and a deeper choir were added. Disaster struck in October 1887. A hurricane destroyed the nearly finished bell tower. Workers had to start all over.
Inside Église Saint-Maurice-des-Champs, light streams through beautiful stained glass. These windows were crafted in 1878. The Charles Lévêque workshops of Beauvais created them. Look for Saint Dominic with the Virgin Mary in the left transept. The right transept shows Joseph’s death in Nazareth. Mary, Jesus, and an angel are present. Jesus comforts Joseph as he peacefully passes away.
Near the “Dieu de Marcq,” a triangular emblem of the Holy Trinity is etched into the floor. The presbytery sits nearby at 119 Rue Saint-Gabriel. The adjacent Maison des Vicaires at number 117 became a community center in 2006.
The Église Saint-Maurice-des-Champs boasts neo-Gothic furnishings made between 1860 and 1881. It also houses a 17th-century Christ on the Cross called “Dieu de Marcq.” Numerous canvases also adorn the church.
In 2006, Luc-Benoît Brouard restored all the stained-glass windows. In 2009, Father Michel Protain became the parish priest. He had previously served in Pakistan for ten years.
The Église Saint-Maurice-des-Champs is more than just a building. It is a symbol of community. It reflects the enduring spirit of Lille. Its history is etched in its stones. Its beauty shines through its windows. Take a moment to appreciate this amazing place.