Church of Saint-Géry in Rebecq - Discover this open and welcoming religious building

Church | XIX | Classical | Catholic Church

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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

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Description

Until 1865, the Saint-Géry church, surrounded by its cemetery, stood on the site of the current Grand-Place. The building, built in the 16th century in Gothic style on older stone foundations, had become too small and was in a worrying state of disrepair. A decision was then taken to build a new, larger church, in neo-Romanesque style, on a nearby plot of land donated by a manufacturer.

The construction extends from December 1865 to the end of 1868 according to the plans of the provincial architect Émile Coulon, who had already directed the expansion work on the Hospice de Rebecq. As financial resources were limited, the exterior decoration was limited to the front facade facing the Grand-Place. The church was solemnly consecrated on June 3, 1872.

Some elements of the present church come from the old one: the baptismal font and font at the entrance, the altar and the statue of Saint Géry in the choir. Exceptional in our regions: the interior paintings were restored to their original state in 1996-1997 on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the church. Imitating a stone decoration in the nave and transept, they recall in the choir the Crucifixion of Christ (the instruments of torture) and his Resurrection (neo-Byzantine fresco). The Saint-Géry church thus recovers its inner beauty and its original splendour.

The Saint-Géry church

Archeological excavations on the Grand-Place

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Remarkable elements

The holy water font

These baptismal fonts in blue stone, with an octagonal foot and dating from the 15th century, are now used as a holy water font.
Height: 65 cm ; width of the tank 50 cm.

Baptismal fonts

These baptismal font in blue stone bear the following inscription:" Jaque Le Gosse gave it.1599”. The circular tank with a diameter of 85 cm is supported by a fluted shaft column decorated with fruits, 1.25 m high.

Altar

Made of white marble, this high altar, consecrated in 1601, in Renaissance style, comes from the old Rebecq church, once located on the site of the current Main Square.

Statue of Saint Gery

This hard granite statue of Saint Gery on a small column is invoked against foot-and-mouth disease. It bears on its base a coat of arms bearing three lions and the date 1567. It was inserted into the round arch of the front door of the former Rebecq church. Its place was reserved in the hanger of the current porch (a console is provided for this purpose) but its considerable weight did not allow it to be installed there.

Stained glass windows of the choir

The stained glass windows in the Saint Géry centre are surrounded by the patron saints of four donors who made it possible to build the church and whose names are indicated at the bottom of each window.

Frescoes

The Byzantine inspired frescoes are the work of the painter Charles-Henri Stiennon (1851-1942).

They represent Christ in majesty holding his cross, with characters from the New Testament to the left (Mary, Saint Peter, Saint Paul...) and other characters from the Old Testament to the right (Moses, Elijah...).