Saint Lambert
Buisson
6983 Buisson (La Roche-en-Ardenne)
Church | XIX | Neogothic | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 January - 31 December
Mon 10.00 - 18.00
Tue 10.00 - 18.00
Wed 10.00 - 18.00
Thu 10.00 - 18.00
Fri 10.00 - 18.00
Sat 10.00 - 18.00
Sun 10.00 - 18.00
Religious offices
Saturday 7 pm
Description
The building is as bright inside as it is outside. Its Baroque high altar, white with grey mouldings, catches the eye with its brightly coloured canvas above the tabernacle. A modern composition in red, brown and yellow, it depicts Jesus freeing souls from the world of the dead.
The statues of Saint Anne and Saint Lambert, to the left and right of the altar, are fine terracotta works from the mid-19th century. The two remarkable ‘reliquary monstrances’, shaped like tall hats with feathers, bear witness to the devotion to the relics of saints. On the confessional, an eye in a triangle surrounded by rays reminds believers that ‘God sees everything’.
Before leaving, take a close look at the Stations of the Cross, created just after the war: at some stations, the men who arrest Jesus are depicted wearing soldiers' helmets and carrying rifles. Also note the two long bell ropes hanging in the entrance porch, ready to be pulled.
Photos
Remarkable elements
Statue of Saint Donat
The statue of St. Donatius stands on the outside of the church, to the right of the tower. Saint Donatius was a legionnaire in the Imperial Army. Recently the colours were intensified by Marie-Jo Spote, a local artist. Donatius holds a lightning strike in his hand. He was therefore worshipped against lightning strikes. In some parishes there is still a procession in his honour every year, at the beginning of July. (Arlon, Gives, Recogne, Noville, Sainte-Cécile and many others).
Main altar
The main altar and the Blessed Virgin’s altar, both Baroque, come from Stavelot, hometown of Marie Dester, wife of the donor. The lower part is incomplete. Two openings in the choir once served as confessionals during large celebrations; the confessor sat in the sacristy, where armrests remain. The modern painting shows a radiant, glorious Christ drawing all humanity, even the most afflicted, and conveys trust and hope. It is by the painter Battice.
Statue of Saint Lambert
On the right side of the altar is Saint Lambertus, bishop of Liège and parish priest of this parish. St. Lambert was probably chosen because he would refer to the generous founder.
Statue of Saint Anne
On the left side of the altar is Saint Anna who teaches her daughter how to read. This saint is especially honoured in the old community of Ortho, of which Buisson was part until 1/1/1977 (fusion of the municipalities).
Wooden cross
A wooden cross is attached above the confessional. The Christ on the cross is also made of wood. Initially this cross was located in the chapel of Our Lady of La Salette, near the farm of Viviers. The name "Glorious Christ" comes from the rays of light coming from the centre of the cross. E.Matthias, a carpenter and cabinetmaker, restored it in 2008 with great artistic skill.
Stations of the cross
Besides the altar painting, Battice, who had a second residence in Nisramon, also created the Stations of the Cross. It was initially hard for parishioners to accept, as they did not understand the symbolism of the armed soldiers, so it was kept in the vicarage for many years. Since its discreet restoration, led by the head of the church council and supported by Abbot Bihain, the parish’s last priest (1972–2005), no negative reactions have occurred.
Nearby
Circuit
Churches of the Ardennes, from century to century
From bell tower to bell tower in the heart of the Ardennes (car 2 route) - Several churches are built on the very site of very old oratories, of which they have preserved traces. Some were destroyed and then rebuilt, especially after the Religious Wars. Others, more recent, testify to the styles in vogue at the time of our (great-)grandparents....
Of shale and sandstone
From bell tower to bell tower in the heart of the Ardennes (cycle route 1) - How lucky we are to have so many "building stones" in our basement. In this part of the Ardennes, it is mainly schist and sandstone that we find, or even a mixture of the two. The churches built in these rocks draw a very particular strength of character from them... A route for lovers of climbing.
