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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Notre-Dame-des-Glaces de Boussois, built in the 2nd quarter of the 20th century, replaces a building destroyed during the First World War, during the siege of Maubeuge. Its reconstruction was initiated by the municipality and financed by the workers of the Manufacture des Glaces de Boussois, one of the most important in Europe at the time. These artisans, specialized in the work of glass, carry out not only masonry and trimming, but also interior decoration, furniture and objects of worship in glass. The building, designed by Maubeuge architects Henri Lafitte (1888–1966) and probably Jacques Lafitte, is inspired by the churches of the 18th century Avesnois, while integrating neo-classical influences and a basilical model for interior volumes.

The interior of the church is distinguished by its eclectic and innovative use of glass. The large arcades are built on reinforced concrete pillars decorated with glass pulp produced by the local factory. The second level was decorated with frescoes by Henri Lafitte between 1928 and 1929, while the choir preserved murals such as De Profundis and Magnificat. The nave, initially covered with an apparent wood frame with glass boxes, was illuminated by half-moon windows, now replaced by a ceiling. The lower sides have a base in platelets of glass paste, and the luminous cross is the work of master glassmaker Gaétan Jeannin, assisted by Mademoiselle S. Charlemagne, who also realizes the path of the cross.

The church, ceded by the factory to the diocese between 1977 and 1979, underwent major changes, such as the replacement of stained glass windows in 1987. Although its exterior is sober, its interior reflects a unique collaboration between glassmakers and architects, making this place a remarkable example of the industrial and religious heritage of Hauts-de-France. Classified as a Historic Monument in 2005, it illustrates the post-First World War reconstruction and the adaptation of glassmaking techniques to sacred architecture.

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