Saint Peter
Rue de l'Eglise
7100 Haine-Saint-Pierre (La Louvière)
Church | XII - 1779 | Classical | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 June - 31 August
Mon -
Tue -
Wed 12.00 - 16.00
Thu 17.00 - 21.00
Fri -
Sat -
Sun 9.00 - 13.00
Guided tour
+32 64 21 59 21
Religious offices
Sunday 11 am
Description
This semi-Classical style church was built on the site of an ancient 11th century building.. It was under the tutelage of the Abbey of Aulne as the timeline above the entrance door indicates.
The bulbous bell tower is exceptional for the region and in 1780 it had three bells. Only one of these remained after French troops had passed through. It was replaced in 1984 and is now exhibited in the nave on the left.
Apart from the stained glass windows, numerous tombstones and funeral monuments enhance the interior. Those of Jean-François Hossart and Anne-Marie Philipart include a bas relief depicting Saint Francis of Assisi.
The first priest recorded at Haine-Saint-Pierre is Isaac de Haine in 1206.
KIKIRPA : Photo-library online
Photos
Remarkable elements
Chronogram
Destroyed in 1779, the church was rebuilt in 1782 as indicated by the chronogram above the front door, the translation of which is "Let it not be supported, but let it be said: was founded in honor of the Prince of the Apostles under Joseph Scrippe, Abbot of Alder". Looking at the chronogram, it is easy to distinguish the three merlettes that attest to allegiance to Aulne Abbey as well as the coat of arms of Abbot Scrippe.
Head of saint Peter
Saint Peter is the patron saint of the church. A yellow copper head represents him on an altar dedicated to him.
Choir and organs
The large organs were installed in the "rood house". They were dismantled and reinstalled in the church choir during the major renovation work in the 1960s. We also find in their niche, four carved wooden statuettes representing the great saints venerated in the region: Saint Eloi, Saint Catherine, Saint Nicolas and Saint Barbe.
Stained-glass windows
The church has fourteen artistic stained glass windows. In the choir, each of the four evangelists has a window. Right side nave: Saint Peter, Saint Francis, Saint Benedict. Left side nave: the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, and the theological virtues. Central nave: left, Saint Barbara and Saint Eloi; right, Saint Theresa and a window honoring the Great War 1914-1918. On the façade: a magnificent window in honor of Our Lady of the Sick.
Tumbling stones
In the church there are several tumbling stones. 18 tombstones have been identified.
The stone of Nicolas du Terne (" adviser to Emperor Charles V ") and that of François Hossart (Lord of Aimeries) are very interesting on the local level in the sense that they confirm the presence of the lordships of Le Terne and Hossart.
The cure
Today, the oldest building in the village still stands on the square: the cure. In 1676, priest Thomas Mascart described it as “old, obsolete and partly ruined.” It had been given to the church by André del Motte, whose coat of arms remains above the entrance. At that time, the “primitive Hagna” (the parish of Haine-St-Pierre) extended to Bellecourt and Bois d’Haine, explaining the reference to the de la Motte lords.
