Saint Peter
Parvis Saint-Pierre 9
7860 Lessines
Church | 1075 - 1952 | Romanesque, Gothic | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 April - 31 October
Mon 9.30 - 17.30
Tue 9.30 - 17.30
Wed 9.30 - 17.30
Thu 9.30 - 17.30
Fri 9.30 - 17.30
Sat 9.30 - 17.30
Sun 9.30 - 17.30
01 November - 31 March
Mon 9.30 - 16.00
Tue 9.30 - 16.00
Wed 9.30 - 16.00
Thu 9.30 - 16.00
Fri 9.30 - 16.00
Sat 9.30 - 16.00
Sun 9.30 - 16.00
Description
Lessines, a few steps from the famous Notre-Dame à la Rose hospital, classified as exceptional heritage in Wallonia, is home to the remarkable decanal church of Saint-Pierre. It impresses first by its size: over 45 meters long and nearly 34 meters wide. Its structure is just as striking: between the tower, chapels and a pentagonal choir — one of the most interesting 14th-century constructions in Hainaut — the interior appears like a hall church with five parallel naves. In reality, three large chapels are attached on either side of a 12-meter-high central nave, acting as double aisles.
The church stands on the site of a primitive chapel, replaced by a first Romanesque church before 1075 and by a second at the end of the 12th century. Since then, it has undergone numerous extensions, alterations and restorations.
Destroyed on May 11, 1940 by German incendiary shells, the church suffered greatly. Restoration only began in early 1950, leading to its reconsecration on May 22, 1952. Architect Simon Brigode sought to restore the building’s original purity and luminosity, already listed as a monument since 1941.
The upper part of the tower and the clerestory of the great nave date from the second Romanesque church of the 12th century, while most of the building is Gothic, shaped by successive works between 1356 and 1817.
Several works of art and pieces of furniture saved in 1940 have returned to the church. Other war-related repairs came much later: the large organ in 1989, and the baptismal font, side altars and three bells only in 2013.
Welcoming, luminous and steeped in history, the church of Saint-Pierre awaits your visit!
KIKIRPA : Photo-library online
Photos
Remarkable elements
Eagle-lutrin
As indicated by the initials P.D.L.P.M.F. (Pierre De LesPesse Me Fecit) on the curved foot and the date 1647 on the globe, this brass piece was made by founder Pierre de Lespesse in the mid-17th century. The eagle symbolizes St John, the “Eagle of Patmos,” and Good overcoming Evil, gripping an overturned dragon. Placed under the choir’s triumphal arch in 1940, it survived the fire and resumed its role in the restored church.
Shrines of Saint-Mansuète
In 1685 the relics of Saint Mansuet, a young 3rd-century Roman martyr and second patron of the parish, arrived. Most of his body was kept in a baroque reliquary of stuccoed and gilded linden wood, topped with the boy’s bust. In 1901 a notable Lessin family chose a new neo-Gothic shrine in gilded and silvered copper from Wilmotte & Son in Liège. Since 1952 both shrines have been displayed together, with the 1901 shrine holding the relics.
Choir
Built in 1356 of Tournai stone, it is one of the few major 14th-century religious buildings in the region. Outside, despite alterations, the carved window details—flowers, fleurons and monsters—are still visible. Inside, the slim columns on a bench gained their vaults in the 16th century, with ribs bearing lamb and five-petalled-rose keystones. The original lamb keystone is displayed in the church’s Memorial Space.
Christ's Lying Face
Since the Middle Ages, St Peter’s Church has hosted a unique Good Friday Trilogy in Northern Europe: service, procession and entombment. After the 1940 destruction, a new Christ’s bed was commissioned from artist Harry Elstrøm. At the end of the service, penitents escort Christ with torches, lanterns, rattles and drums through the dark streets before he is laid in St Barbara’s Chapel, also called Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows.
The rood screen
Installed in the choir’s triumphal arch in 1616, the rood screen was a reduced copy of that in Tournai Cathedral. Moved to the rear of the central nave in 1758, it was damaged there in 1940; fortunately its railing was removed in 1941 before the vaults collapsed. Typical of its kind, it shows Passion scenes with statues and coats of arms. Its main parts—panels, niches, statues and spandrels—are now displayed in the Memorial Space.
Modillions
These 86 modillions, intended to support the edges of the oak shingle vaults of the various chapels, were commissioned from the Belgian artist Basile Lamon, winner of the Prix de Rome in 1947. The sculptor was inspired by subjects from the Old and New Testaments, Eucharistic symbols, but also by the various trades involved in the restoration. To discover these sculptures, don't forget to bring binoculars, or go to the Sainte-Barbe chapel where their photos are on display!
