Saint Martin
Rue de la Gare
59380 Bergues
Church | 1562 -1957 | Gothic , Hallekerque | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 January - 31 December
Mon 9.00 - 17.00
Tue 9.00 - 17.00
Wed 9.00 - 17.00
Thu 9.00 - 17.00
Fri 9.00 - 17.00
Sat 9.00 - 17.00
Sun 9.00 - 17.00
Religious offices
Sunday 10.30 am
Description
In French Flanders, near the Belgian frontier, the town of Bergues has the label " Ville d'Arts et Histoire" - (town of Arts and History). Among the many monuments relating its rich historical past, is the church of St. Martin.
The first documented church dates from the 10th century, and was replaced at the end of the 16th Century by a grand and vast , 'hallekerque' ( a 'hall-church' - having the side aisles of the same height as the nave) and in the late gothic style.
During the Second World War the church was burnt and the tower shelled and blown up. Rebuilt at the end of the 1950's the church has kept important elements of the previous church : the chevet, with its three absides, the south wall of the sanctuary, the south porch, and the south arm of the transept, all classified Historical Monuments.
The material chosen to rebuild the church, yellow sand bricks harmonises well with the ancient elements and gives a luminous aspect to the exterior, also found inside. The unornamented interior, lit by the yellow/orange stain glass windows particularly valorises the contemporary ceramic "Way of the Cross". Near to the baptism font is the souvenir of Father Frédéric Janssone (1839-1916) who came from the nearby village of Ghyvelde and was beatified by Pope Saint John Paul II.
Photos
Remarkable elements
The baptismal font
Crafted in black marble in the 18th century, this baptismal font is topped with a wooden sculpture depicting the baptism of Christ. It is a rare piece, with a rotating base that reveals the baptismal basin where children are baptised under the gaze of Christ and Saint John the Baptist.
Way of the Cross
The Way of the Cross dates from 1959 and is the work of Jeanne Champilou (1897-1978), a multi-talented artist who was a painter, engraver and ceramist. Made of polychrome ceramic, the figures seem to emerge from behind the yellow brick wall of the church.
Memorial to the parish priests
In a chapel parallel to the nave, you will find a unique and rare monument: engraved in marble for eternity is a list of the parish priests of Bergues since the 12th century!
Organ
Overlooking the old transept, the contemporary organ (1960), made by Muller, blends perfectly into the architectural ensemble of the church.
Stained glass windows
The contemporary stained glass windows by Max Ingrand and François Bertrand extend the ochre tones of the church walls. Those in the aisles represent the guilds, a crowned Virgin near the organ and Saint Winoc, patron saint of Bergues, dominating the town with his miraculous millstone animated by an angel. Above the porch, Saint Martin watches over the nave and recalls the dedication of the church.
Sculptures
In a small chapel adjoining the nave are two sculptures: the Virgin of Lourdes in front of the town of Lourdes and Saint Winoc evoking the pilgrimage of Bergues and the miracle of the flag. These works are by the Bergues artist Maurice Ringot (1880-1951), who also created the First World War memorial in front of the church.
