Where did the name Saint-Pierre-en-Antioche come from? This is a question many ask when first encountering this church. Let’s explore the story of this remarkable \u00c9glise Saint-Pierre \u00e0 Antioche in Lille.
The \u00c9glise Saint-Pierre \u00e0 Antioche stands in Ascq now part of Villeneuve-d’Ascq. It is often called the Saint-Pierre d’Ascq church to distinguish it from another Saint-Pierre church in Flers-Bourg. Its name Saint-Pierre comes from its belonging to the Saint-Pierre chapter of Lille.
A church dedicated to Saint-Pierre-en-Antioche existed in Ascq as early as 1128. At that time it was part of the Saint-Calixte abbey of Cysoing. The \u00c9glise Saint-Pierre \u00e0 Antioche as we know it today dates back to the late 15th century. Initially it was a building without a bell tower constructed of white limestone. Its walls had a base of sandstone.
In 1618 the Bishop of Tournai Maximilien Vilain de Gand established a brotherhood of Notre-Dame de Montaigu in Ascq. A painting from the 18th century remains in the \u00c9glise Saint-Pierre \u00e0 Antioche as an ex-voto.
The church saw several changes over the centuries. In 1753 the church bells were repaired. Around 1760 the choir was modified to accommodate the tapestry Les Noces de Cana. In 1767 work was done on the bell tower and stained glass windows. A new bell named Louise joined the old ones in 1770.
During the French Revolution the church faced challenges. The silver and cult objects of the \u00c9glise Saint-Pierre d’Ascq were inventoried. They were sent to Lille and recovered by the state. The \u00c9glise Saint-Pierre-en-Antioche d’Ascq was sold to a citizen of Lille. After the Concordat it was returned to the religious authorities.
The 19th century brought significant changes to the \u00c9glise Saint-Pierre \u00e0 Antioche. A new roof was installed in 1819. In 1821 the old blue stone pavement was replaced. The bell tower was built in 1842 with a slender spire and four small bell towers. Lateral chapels and a new sacristy were added. The church was extended and the ceiling and walls were plastered.
In 1906 state officials were met with resistance. The priest refused to open the \u00c9glise Saint-Pierre \u00e0 Antioche to state officials. They wanted to inventory parish property. Gendarmes had to break down the door. A statue of Christ on the cross called Christ des Inventaires was made from the door’s debris.
During World War I the Germans removed the bells. They were replaced in 1922. In the 1920s and 1930s the four small bell towers disappeared during a restoration. In 1932 architect Ren\u00e9 Dupire covered the Lezennes stones with ceramic tiles and orange bricks.
From 1948 to 1951 the \u00c9glise Saint-Pierre \u00e0 Antioche was restored. Workers found a coin with the effigy of the Duke of Burgundy Philippe le Bon. In 2016 the city of Villeneuve d’Ascq financed an exterior restoration.
Inside the \u00c9glise Saint-Pierre \u00e0 Antioche the tapestry Les Noces de Cana stands out. Made in 1735 by Guillaume Verniers it depicts a banquet in nature. The church also features a Flemish communion table and a baroque confessional. The stained glass windows display the arms of the Comte de Sainte-Aldegonde.
The central nave and transept reflect 15th-century design. The arches rest on Tournai stone columns. The \u00c9glise Saint-Pierre \u00e0 Antioche was built using materials from local quarries and brickyards. This church stands as a testament to faith and history. Its stones and stories echo through the ages.