Saint Peter & Saint Paul
Rue de l'Haeghe-Doorne 10
59270 Méteren
Church | 1923-1927 | Neoromanesque, Art deco | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 April - 30 September
Mon 9.00 - 18.00
Tue 9.00 - 18.00
Wed 9.00 - 18.00
Thu 9.00 - 18.00
Fri 9.00 - 18.00
Sat 9.00 - 18.00
Sun 9.00 - 18.00
01 October - 31 March
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
More information on messesinfo.fr
Description
Like its neighbour town Bailleul, Méteren was completely destroyed during World War I. Reconstruction of the church did not begin until 1923, as priority was given to housing and schools. In the meantime, two temporary places of worship were used: the kitchen of a local farm and a tin hut.
Work on the church was entrusted to architects Louis Quételart and André Pavlosky. Consecrated in 1927, the new brick church contrasts with the former 15th- and 17th-century hallekerque (market church), which was built of stone.
What makes this building unique is its complete Art Deco ensemble, in which every element, from the décor to the furniture, reflects the elegant austerity characteristic of the period.
Photos
Remarkable elements
The former pulpit of truth
Designed by Maurice Ringot, it was dismantled following the Vatican II reform. The vat, decorated with representations of the four evangelists, became the new altar for celebrations. The wrought iron ambo highlights the dove of the Holy Spirit, which used to be on the pulpit's lampshade.
The choir fresco
This marouflaged canvas depicts, from left to right, Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, Saint Francis of Assisi, a holy bishop, Saint Peter, Christ on the Cross surrounded by the Virgin Mary and Saint John, Saint Paul, Saint Louis, another unidentified saint and Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus.
The baptismal font
Also designed by Maurice Ringot, they are made of stone and hexagonal in shape, covered with tesserae of art deco mosaics.
The organ
Designed by Maurice Ringot, it is made of cement covered in pink stone and decorated with Desvres earthenware. Seven medallions adorn the organ: six represent angels and the last, at the top, depicts Saint Cécile, patron saint of musicians. The organ is no longer in working order.
The stained glass windows
Dating from the 1960s, they respect the architectural unity of the church. Each window compares a passage from the Old Testament with one from the New Testament, with an explanatory label underneath.
Little Paradise
This area features statues of the church's saints: the Curé d'Ars, Joan of Arc, Jesus of Prague, Our Lady, Bernadette, Thérèse of the Infant Jesus, Pius X and Albert of Sicily.
