Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Saint-Médard du Hamel, dedicated to Saint Médard, finds its origins in the Middle Ages. A first medieval church was destroyed during the Spanish invasions and rebuilt in the 17th century. This building, which fell into ruins in the early 19th century, was partially restored in 1858 under the direction of the Amienese architect Victor Delefortrie, before being completely destroyed during the Battle of Hamel on July 4, 1918, during the First World War.

The reconstruction of the building, entrusted to architect Maurice Fabre, began in 1924 after the plans were finalized in 1922. Completed in 1932, the new church adopts an Art Deco style, with a brick structure and a traditional basilical plan. It incorporates decorative elements typical of the period, such as glass windows signed by Georges Teumbret and liturgical furniture designed by Gérard Ansart, now protected as historical monuments.

The current building is distinguished by its quadrangular bell tower topped by a slate arrow, as well as its three bells. Inside, two 18th-century statues, a master altar, a pulpit and a stone confessional, all in Art Deco style, testify to the fusion between religious heritage and architectural modernity. The stained glass windows, representing holy figures such as Joan of Arc or Saint Roch, reinforce the link between local history and the Catholic faith.

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