Our Lady of Lourdes
Rue des Déportés 13
4860 Wegnez (Pepinster)
Church | 1911 | Neogothic | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
Church closed (open only for worship).
Religious offices
Description
Church in the Neo-Gothic style dating from 1911.
The cult of Our Lady of Lourdes is very much present in this church.
On the exterior on the esplanade one immediately notices a reproduction of the grotto where the Virgin appeared to Bernadette Soubirou.
In the interior, the eye is drawn to the statue of Our Lady which dominates the choir. The church itself was inspired to a large extent by the Lourdes Basilica, being built like it on a promontory and including a single nave. The stained glass windows were inspired by German imagery and illustrate the mysteries of the Rosary.
The Way of the Cross was done by local artist Jean Julémont.
KIKIRPA : Photo-library online
Photos
Remarkable elements
Lourdes cave
This cave is indeed an imitation of that of Lourdes, witness of the apparitions of Our Lady to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. The cave, like the church, were built at the beginning of the 20th century. They were created in 1911 thanks to a donation from the noble family del Marmole who owned a castle on the heights of Tancrémont. The baron wanted to build a sanctuary near his castle inspired by that of Lourdes, intended for people who could not go on pilgrimage. The result is a very original construction, nicknamed "Le petit Lourdes verviétois" in its time.
The higher church
The church's elevated position is reminiscent of the upper basilica of Lourdes, as is its access path.
Statue of Our Lady of Lourdes
Inside, the monumental statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, surmounted by a canvas representing the Pyrenean sanctuaries, is an eye-catcher. The main altar is also an exact copy of the first altar of the cave. All this is illuminated by natural light.
Stained glass windows
A remarkable collection of ten historical stained glass windows created by the Mayer firm of Munich, representing the mysteries of the Rosary.
Stations of the cross
This Stations of the Cross is the work of Jean Julémont (1904-1979), first prize for painting of the St Lucas School, inspired by Maurice Denis.
Pieta
Monumental polychrome pieta.
Nearby
Circuit
The Vesdre region in the 19th century - car
The Verviers Region at the time of the Industrial Revolution (car route) - Discover to what extent the wool industry has allowed the development of the villages around Verviers.
