Built between 1906 and 1911 Notre-Dame de Pellevoisin stands proudly in Lille. Its neo-Byzantine style is unique. This impressive church is a testament to the burgeoning population of the Pellevoisin district. It sits at the edge of Lille bordering La Madeleine and Marcq-en-Baroeul. Interestingly its parish actually falls under the Marcq-en-Baroeul deanery not Lille’s.
The church’s construction was overseen by Louis-Marie Cordonnier. He was also the architect behind Lille’s new stock exchange. The building project responded to the growing urbanisation of the area. The Pellevoisin Buisson and May-Four neighbourhoods all contributed to the need for a new church. Its inauguration in 1911 wasn’t without controversy. Anti-clerical groups protested the official procession and blessing approved by Lille’s elected officials. This was shortly after the 1905 separation of church and state law.
A striking feature of Notre-Dame de Pellevoisin is its lack of a bell tower. The soil was deemed unstable making a bell tower impractical. The church’s choir features a unique detail. On the left it represents Lille’s Pellevoisin on the right the village of Pellevoisin in Indre. A stunning Carrara marble statue of the Virgin Mary is the centrepiece of this choir. It was donated in 1921 by Madame Masse and sculpted by the renowned Hippolyte Lefebvre.
The church’s organ is also of note. It boasts two manuals and a pedal board. Made by Lille organ builder Jean Pascal it was installed in the 1950s. Only the first manual is original. Since 1924 the church also serves the May-Four area of Marcq-en-Baroeul. The church’s name itself is a fascinating story. It’s named after a village in Indre. There in 1876 a young woman named Estelle Faguette was miraculously cured of tuberculosis after seeing the Virgin Mary. The cult of Notre-Dame de Pellevoisin was officially authorised by the Bishop of Bourges in 1877. A fresco inside the Lille church depicts this miracle.
Notre-Dame de Pellevoisin isn’t just a place of worship. It’s a historical landmark a piece of Lille’s story. Its unique architecture its intriguing history and its connection to a miraculous event make it a truly special place. Take a moment to appreciate the details the artistry and the rich history woven into the very stones of this magnificent building.