A jewel of Protestant architecture. That’s how many describe the Temple de Roubaix.
Before you stands the Temple de Roubaix a beautiful testament to faith and history. Built at the end of the 19th century it is a remarkable example of Protestant architecture in the region. The Amiens architect J-J Schulthers designed it. Auguste Dupire-Deschamps oversaw construction. He would later design the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church in Roubaix a fascinating connection.
The Temple de Roubaix was not built in a vacuum. A Protestant presence supported by British Methodists existed in Roubaix since the 1840s. Primarily serving textile workers. An earlier Protestant place of worship was even built in Croix in 1867 by Isaac Holden. A wealthy industrialist who also contributed to the Roubaix temple providing the wood for its framework. The new temple in Roubaix was primarily financed through subscriptions from its faithful members. Many were new workers drawn to the burgeoning textile industry. A Reformed parish separated from Lille’s was founded in 1865.
Notice the building’s understated elegance. The red brick facade is simple yet dignified. The neo-Romanesque rose window and the small bell tower above the entrance are striking details. The facade and rose window along with the bell tower were restored in 2022 by heritage architect Francois Bisman. Original pinnacles were even reinstated.
Inside the Temple de Roubaix is a calm space conducive to reflection. The interior is paneled in oak a serene and sober atmosphere. Its small baroque organ is renowned. Its exceptional acoustics are highly prized by music lovers. The organ itself was restored in 2007.
The Temple de Roubaix isn’t just a building. It’s a living center of community. It still serves Protestants in Roubaix Tourcoing Croix Hem Wattrelos Villeneuve-d’Ascq and surrounding areas. It is a historical landmark inscribed as a historical monument in 2011. It’s a place where history resonates with the present. A beacon of faith resilience and architectural beauty.