Here at the corner of Rue Nationale and Rue Solférino stands a testament to faith. It is the Église du Sacré-Cœur de Lille. This pretty church charms from the outside and the inside.
The late 19th century saw its rise. Specifically, Église du Sacré-Cœur de Lille was erected between 1875 and 1898. Jules Batigny was the French architect behind it. Later, in the middle of the century, the bell tower was completed.
Why was the Église du Sacré-Cœur de Lille built? The Association of the Children of Mary of the Sacred Heart vowed to protect Lille. This was during the war, specifically from Prussian invasion. The date of the vow was October 7 1870.
Later local women pledged to build a chapel. It should be dedicated to the Sacred Heart. This chapel would be a space for reflection inside the church. It is known as the Chapel of the Vow. It sits behind the choir and has eleven stained glass windows.
Step inside the Église du Sacré-Cœur de Lille. Notice the neo-Gothic style. It stretches 90 meters long and 24 meters wide. The building rises 22 meters high. It’s one of Lille’s largest churches.
Marvel at the apsidal chapel. The Brame-Wallaert family provided it. It was inaugurated in 1891. Admire the eleven stained-glass windows. They are classified as historical monuments. The Atelier Lorin in Chartres created them. Charles Crauk, a painter from Valenciennes, designed them. These windows depict scenes from the Old and New Testaments.
Consider the church’s history. The Église du Sacré-Cœur de Lille was consecrated on June 20 1902. The bell tower was still incomplete at that time. Charles Sarazin designed the 75-meter-tall tower. It wasn’t finished until 1928. Reinforced concrete made up its structure. Weather caused deterioration, so it was restored from 2005 to 2008.
The Église du Sacré-Cœur de Lille has faced challenges. In April 2018, dry rot caused a temporary closure. The closure lasted six months. As of now, only seven canopies have been restored. Five remain in disrepair awaiting repair.
Despite these challenges, the Église du Sacré-Cœur de Lille stands tall. Since 1983, it has been a National Historic Monument. The chapel showcases beautiful stained-glass windows. These are dedicated to the Immaculate Conception and scenes from the Bible. A superb organ enriches the space.
Take a moment to appreciate the Église du Sacré-Cœur de Lille. It represents faith and history in Lille.