Imagine a bell. This bell once echoed a call to prayer from an older church. Now it stands on the facade of \u00c9glise Saint-Vincent de Paul. This is not just any bell. It carries a powerful message.
Welcome to the \u00c9glise Saint-Vincent de Paul in Lille. This church has a unique story. It involves destruction and rebirth. It involves a community’s spirit. The original \u00c9glise Saint-Vincent de Paul was built between 1838 and 1841. Charles Benvignat was the architect. Industrialists Wallaert donated the land in 1836. They had just established a spinning mill nearby. This area became the heart of the new commune of Moulins-Lille.
The first \u00c9glise Saint-Vincent de Paul stood on what is now Place D\u00e9liot. The church, town hall, schools and open-air market formed the center. This new commune was created in 1833. It was detached from Wazemmes.
The original \u00c9glise Saint-Vincent de Paul was simple. It had long brick walls and a high vaulted ceiling. Columns supported this ceiling. A 30-meter bell tower topped the facade. Many considered its architecture mediocre. People described it as austere and sad.
However the \u00c9glise Saint-Vincent de Paul held a treasure. The Merklin organ was installed in 1860. It was housed in an 18th-century buffet. This organ and its case were listed as historical monuments in 1973. Sadly both disappeared ten years later.
By 1983 the original \u00c9glise Saint-Vincent de Paul was in danger of collapse. It was demolished. But the community did not want to lose their church. The \u00c9glise Saint-Vincent de Paul was moved. It found a new home in a renovated spinning mill. This mill was part of the Le Blan group.
The bell on the facade is from the old church. It dates back to 1932. This was a time of crisis. Its inscription reflects this. It declares “I sound the war on slums and working-class misery”.
The new \u00c9glise Saint-Vincent de Paul is smaller. It has seating for 200 people. The altar is set under a low ceiling. Stained glass windows by Luc Six add color. Some elements come from the old church. These include stalls from 1878. Also a confessional door and a statue of the Virgin from 1932.
La Filature now houses the \u00c9glise Saint-Vincent de Paul. It includes a media library, a theater, and social housing. This project was the first rehabilitation of old textile factories in Moulins. Later the University of Lille 2, the IRA of Lille, and offices were established here.
The \u00c9glise Saint-Vincent de Paul is now part of the Saint-Augustin parish. This includes Saint-Beno\u00eet-Labre church. It also includes Saint-Pierre – Saint-Paul church and Saint-Joseph chapel.
\u00c9glise Saint-Vincent de Paul stands as a symbol of community. It represents resilience and adaptation. It is a place of worship. It is a reminder of local history. It is a testament to transformation.