Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Saint-Josse de Béhen, located in the department of the Somme ( Hauts-de-France region), is a parish building built between the 15th century for the choir and the 20th century for the nave. The flamboyant Gothic choir is characteristic of late religious architecture in the Middle Ages, while the nave and concrete facade, later added, reflect functional modernization. The church is home to remarkable elements such as a medieval structure, Gothic capitals on the western gate, and a liturgical swimming pool decorated with arches in a braid and basket cove.

Several objects and interior decorations bear witness to its rich heritage: a Virgin of pity in Gothic bas-relief, a statuette of polychrome angel mixing Gothic and Renaissance styles, or a wooden statue of Saint Josse dated from the Renaissance. Two procession crosses (copper and silver) and a glass window dedicated to Notre-Dame de Boulogne are classified as historical monuments. These elements illustrate the artistic and liturgical evolution of the building throughout the centuries.

The history of the church is also marked by tragic events: on May 28, 1940, during World War II, German soldiers locked the inhabitants of Behen there for two days. This dark episode added to its status as a partially protected monument, with successive inscriptions for its frame (1926) and choir (1965). The coexistence of medieval and modern structures makes Saint-Josse a unique testimony of architectural adaptations over time.

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