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Origin and history

The chapel of the Holy Spirit of Street, built in the 15th century and enlarged until the 16th century, is a masterpiece of flamboyant Gothic art. Following the old church of Saint-Wulphy (destroyed in 1827), it was built to house a famous miraculous crucifix, discovered in 1101 on the shores of the Bay of Somme. This crucifix, combined with legends of miracles and royal pilgrimages, attracted prestigious donors such as Louis XI, who financed his beautification between 1440 and 1515.

The chapel owes its fame to a 12th century legend: an acheiropoietic crucifix (sculpted by Nicodemus), miraculously failed at Rue, became the object of intense devotion. Attempts to transfer the crucifix to Abbeville failed, reinforcing its sacred character. Between the 12th and 15th centuries, seven popes granted indulgences to pilgrims, and figures such as Jeanne de Dammartin, Edward I of England, or Philip the Good (duc of Burgundy) came to gather there.

In the 15th century, the chapel was enlarged thanks to the gifts of Philip the Good, Isabel of Portugal, and especially Louis XI, who partially privatized its use. The treasure enriched with precious objects until the Revolution: in 1791 the crucifix was burned (only one arm survived), and the chapel looted. Classified as a historic monument in 1840, it was restored in the 19th century by Cheussey, Verdier, and the Duthoit brothers, who restored part of its decoration.

The architecture of the chapel reflects its turbulent history. Its northern facade, decorated with carved vestments (some of which were beheaded), tells the Passion and history of the crucifix. Inside, the rib arches, the hanging keys, and the statues (Mages, Virgin, Saint Louis) bear witness to a flamboyant decor inspired by Flemish art. The treasury, accessible by a 15th century staircase, houses a carved stone altarpiece representing the Annunciation and Adoration of the Magi.

The chapel of the Holy Spirit also illustrates the political tensions of its time. The kings of France (Louis XI to Louis XIV) and the Dukes of Burgundy succeeded in asserting their power, while the local families (Rambures, Gourlé) contributed to its financing. Today, it remains a symbol of medieval piety and the golden age of Street, a prosperous port thanks to the pilgrimage before its decline to the Revolution.

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