Open Churches Days at
Eglise de l'Assomption

A first church already existed in 1210, on the present site; we do not know to whom it was dedicated. However, it was smaller than the present church and appears to have been thatched.

The church was demolished in 1523 and rebuilt very slowly, being consecrated 45 years later in 1568. This second church, in Gothic style, was dedicated to Saint Catherine. It was enlarged and covered in slate. In the 17th century, the church tower was used as a watchtower during the troubled times caused by the wars that often ravaged our regions.

Having become too dilapidated, it was demolished and enlarged in 1834. It was consecrated on 28 April 1837 and is one of the rare neo-classical sanctuaries in our region.

One of the most remarkable interior architectural features is the 'cul de four' vault, divided into three quarters and decorated with stucco and staff in relief, the central motif of which depicts the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. This masterpiece was created by Delbove and Lambillotte, master ceiling decorators and ornamentalists from Farciennes, who had acquired a solid reputation throughout Belgium and beyond for the quality of their work.

The quality of the furniture used to decorate the room is also remarkable, featuring styles from several periods, including neoclassical, Louis XV, Gothic and Baroque. The Louis XV furniture comes from the former convent of Saint-François, demolished in 1797 by the French revolutionaries. The Gothic furnishings come from the former Saint-Jacques chapel in Tergnée, a hamlet located 1 km from the centre, which was dismantled in 1851 to meet the needs of the collieries.

Work to restore and paint the capitals of the columns was completed in 2017.