Saint Denis
Rue de Prâle 141a
4300 Grand'Axhe (Waremme)
Church | 1870 | Neogothic | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 April - 31 October
Mon 10.00 - 18.00
Tue 10.00 - 18.00
Wed 10.00 - 18.00
Thu 10.00 - 18.00
Fri 10.00 - 18.00
Sat 10.00 - 18.00
Sun 10.00 - 18.00
01 November - 31 March
Mon 10.00 - 17.00
Tue 10.00 - 17.00
Wed 10.00 - 17.00
Thu 10.00 - 17.00
Fri 10.00 - 17.00
Sat 10.00 - 17.00
Sun 10.00 - 17.00
Religious offices
Description
This astonishing ensemble, whose homogeneity is comparable in the province only in the churches of Retinne and above all Pepinster, is a particularly complete illustration of the religious sentiment of the second half of the 19th century and, as such, deserves to be preserved intact.
Three-aisled vessel with polygonal apse, six bays long if the sacristies and annexes enclosing the square tower are counted, the latter being of the same structure and aligned with the aisles. Brick and stone.
The walls are entirely covered with marouflage paintings by Devaux of Liège and Franz Damien of Ans, depicting scenes from the life of Christ, the mysteries of the rosary, the lives of saints (Eleutherius, Valerius, Maternus), miracles (Saint Anthony, Saint Claire, etc.) and scenes of the translation of the relics of Saint Evergisle, who died in Termogne.
KIKIRPA : Photo-library online
Visitors brochure
Photos
Remarkable elements
Choir enamels
Choir wall decoration (series of panels) by Henri Dobbelaer, Bruges. 1874-1880, neo-Gothic, painting on earthenware.
Representations of the apostles and doctors of the Church surmounted by panels with a choir of angels.
Details from left: Saint Peter, Saint Paul of Tarsus, Saint Andrew, Saint James the Greater, Saint John, Saint Matthias, Saint Ambrose of Milan, Saint Augustine of Hippo, Saint Gregory the Great, Saint Jerome.
16th-century cross
Christ on the Cross, late 15th century (arms redone), Gothic, wood with traces of old polychromy, h.135. This Christ comes from the former church in the cemetery.
High altar
Neo-Gothic oak high altar (1874) by M. Hoeken and G. Jansen in Saint Trond. The altar front shows high reliefs of Abel’s sacrifice, the Last Supper with Christ consecrating the wine, Abraham sacrificing Isaac, and four prophets including David. The brass and enamel tabernacle by Joseph Wilmotte, after Jules Helbig, features quatrefoils with a pelican, the Lamb with banner, and Evangelist symbols.
Wall paintings (marouflaged canvases)
Franz Damien (1902–1905): North aisles show scenes from St. Joseph’s life; south aisles depict saints. The rood screen features St. Cecilia (south) and David (north). V. Devaux (1888): In the nave, the first north bay shows Rosary mysteries; the first south bay, St. Denis preaching. Under the rood screen: Jesus expels merchants (south) and the child Jesus teaches in the Temple (north). In the choir: Adoration scenes (south) and the Triumph of the Eucharist (north), with angels on the vault.
Tympanum above the entrance door
The tympanum shows Saint Denys, beheaded around 250 AD, holding his head. It recalls Montmartre in Paris, the hill where he and his companions were martyred. It also refers to the abbey of Saint Denys, which received Asca Super Jacara (Grand'Axhe) in 805 from Nevelong, a relative of Charlemagne. That gift explains our parish’s dedication. The first church, built in 805, had a Parisian monk as its priest.
Altar of the Virgin Mary
North side altar matching the south side altar.
Front with high-reliefs depicting the Nativity, the Virgin and Child giving the rosary to Saint Dominic de Guzman, and the Deploration.
Niche altarpieces containing a statue of the Virgin and Child, surrounded by 2 statues of angels.
Expositorium with crucifix (h 60 cm) and relic boxes on either side.
