Saint-Géry

Contact : Yves Dutrieux - fyn@skynet.be
+32 67 48 56 59  +32 495 78 12 83

every second Sunday 9.30 am

The ancient church was destroyed between 1510 and 1529.The present church was built in 1531(cf. NW column: this church was rebuilt in the month of June 1531).
The nave was lengthened in 1777.From the apse to the portal it measures 127feet (37m285); the main nave 75feet by 40, the aisles 56 by15; the choir 37 by 29.
The chapter of Saint Waldru held tithes jointly with the priest for others.
The first vicar was nominated in 1760.

The painting in the choir by Disbecq from Tournai in 1732 is a “Descent from the Cross”; It was put on canvas in 1933.

The tombstone (bas- relief)) in the East wall is that of the Pierrart Li Coffrier family. It dates from 1410, 120 years prior to the rebuilding of the present church in 1530.

The vault of the choir was completed in 1566,as a date on one of the stone ribs records. It is one of the rare examples of gothic-renaissance style, so called “Plantagenet”.

Outside, an old stone carries the inscription “Anno 1573 Ecco panis”.This represents the Eucharistic coat of arms which was found during the restoration of the church in 1930-32.

In 1777 the church was enlarged and given a new bell tower , unfortunately with walls of brick.
A restoration of the church began in 1899 : it started with the placing of stained glass windows and in 1900 with an overall refreshing of the paintwork.
Around 1910 the graveyard around the church disappeared to make way for the “Grand-Place”. The bones were dug out and carried away to the fields of Mignault.
The abbot Jules Gailly achieved another restoration in 1930-32: the high altar and its monumental altarpiece, the base and the choir stalls were all in wood and in ruins. They were replaced by an altar and base in stone. Stained glass windows were bought to embellish the windows of the choir.

The altar is a long rectangular table supported by four massive columns on a dais in carved bluestone three steps high.

The stone credenza recessed in the wall on the right dates from the Renaissance period. It had been copied from a very old one on the altar of the Sacred Heart (altar right lateral).

The ancient communion tables (lateral altars) are in wood from 1738. They are close to a Renaissance style as opposed to altars which, although built at the same time, are more Baroque in style.

The windows are Romanesque and Gothic.

The transept : The vault is supported by two rows of five columns in local stone which are joined together by a Gothic arch at a height of about eight metres. The 2m70 wide aisles are topped by a demi-arch. The stone floor and the basement in wood enclose many tombstones. Windows pierce the walls. The pulpit, dating from 1738, is covered by a canopy.

The paintings in the side altars “Jesus crucified” and “Saint Francis of Assissi” are by Gustave Vanaise and were donated to the church by Alphonse Jules and Georges Vanaise in memory of Miss Vanaise in 1924.
The ancient tombstone of Pierre De Vooght, known as De Gryse, lord of Marche-lez- Ecaussinnes in 1633 was uncovered during the work to move the old graveyard to the Place Communale. This historical tombstone is behind the baptismal fonts.

The numerous trademarks belong to the master quarryman, Thomas Lambert, born in Marche-lez-Ecaussennes the 12th November 1735.

Everything, from the choir and transept to the tower and entrance, although lacking any outstanding originality, has style and distinction.
At present a major work of exterior restoration and improvement  is  in progress: new drainage, restoration of grave stones, an esplanade and access for the handicapped, outside lighting for the windows , new stairs for access…
This work should be completed before the end of 2016.

KIKIRPA : Photo-library online

Ecaussines