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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of the Sacred Heart of Tourcoing, of neo-Gothic style, was built between 1875 and 1880 by local architect Louis Croin, inspired by the primitive Gothic of the 13th century. Located at Gambetta Boulevard, at the entrance of the city, it marks the articulation between Tourcoing and Roubaix. Its Latin cross plan, its brick and stone facades, and its imposing bell tower – known for its bells – make it a remarkable building. The portal, adorned with a tympanum and an octalobed rose, as well as the foothills with pinnacles, highlight its vertical elevation. The original stained glass windows, destroyed in 1918 during the explosion of the hydraulic bridge by German troops, were replaced in the inter-war period, with a major restoration of the stained glass window Notre-Dame de la Treille in 2012.

The interior decoration, preserved from the beginning, includes a chair illustrating the seven cardinal virtues. The organ, installed in 1901, and the acoustic quality of the building make it a popular venue for concerts, especially those of the choral workshop of the Conservatory of Tourcoing. Although only the main façade and the bell tower received completed sculptures, the church was listed for historical monuments on April 5, 2019, mainly for its stained glass windows. Today, it remains an active place of worship and a heritage symbol of the Lille metropolis, managed by the municipality.

The architectural style combines medieval and technical influences of the 19th century, such as lancettes, broken arches, or pinnacles decorated with hooks. The more sober side façades have low arched entrances and lancet bays, while the pentagonal apses remind Gothic models. The Friends of the Sacred Heart Association contributes to its valorisation, alongside local institutions. Its history also reflects the upheavals of the early twentieth century, with partial destruction during the First World War, and a reconstruction faithful to its original spirit.

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