Saint Medard
Rue Léon Colleaux
6762 Saint-Mard (Virton)
Church | 1867 | Neoromanesque | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 July - 31 August
Mon -
Tue -
Wed -
Thu -
Fri -
Sat -
Sun 14.00 - 18.00
Description
Inside the church, the two 17th century side altars are particularly noteworthy. The north altar is decorated with a painting of Simon Stock receiving the scapular from the Virgin, as well as sculptures of St. Hubert, St. Nicholas and the Virgin and Child. The southern altar is decorated with a painting of the Holy Trinity and statues of St. Medard, St. Roch and St. Sebastian.
Outside, above the porch, a statue of Saint Medard blesses the faithful. It is the work of Trauffler de Battincourt who carved it out of Malmaison stone in 1867. Note that the saint blesses with his left hand.
Since Easter 2014, the church has had a carillon with 14 bronze bells.
Retrieved from www.soleildegaume.be
KIKIRPA : Photo-library online
Photos
Remarkable elements
Sculpted tympanum of the main portal
Under the statue of Saint Médard, blessing with his left hand, the sculptor Trauffler, from Battincourt (Aubange), sculpted a Last Judgement representing Christ welcoming little children.
Lamp-ends
Four of the archway's capitals, sculpted in limestone, represent four of the seven deadly sins: envy, lust, anger and pride. Their faces are said to have been inspired by the inhabitants of Saint-Mard.
Stained glass window in memory of the First World War
Left outside the Belgian defence lines during the First World War, the Gaume suffered a major disaster between 22 and 25 August 1914: bloody fighting between French and German troops, massacres of civilians and the destruction of entire villages during the so-called “Battle of the Borders”. Despite several bombings, Saint-Mard was relatively spared, though many young people were sent to the front inland. This stained-glass window commemorates their sacrifice.
Side altars
Baroque side altars from the former church of Saint-Mard, with wooden statues (Saint Sebastian, Saint Roch and Saint Medard (18th century)). The old church of Saint-Mard was destroyed shortly before the new one was built. In Gothic style, with four belfries, it formed a seigniorial complex with the castle of Laittres and the Charnier monument (remains of the old cemetery), at the eastern exit of the locality, towards Chenois (300m from this church).
Eagle desk
Lectern from 1828. It serves as a lectern for the proclamation of the Word of God.
Christ on the cross
Oil on canvas by Camille Barthélemy (1890-1961), an internationally renowned painter born in Saint-Mard and deceased in Chiny. Trained at the Brussels Academy of Fine Arts, he produced numerous works in Morocco, France, Belgium and Luxembourg (paintings, frescoes, stage sets). Represented in several museums, he also created works for his native village. Closely linked to the working world, he depicts Christ on the cross, venerated notably by workers of the steel industry.
