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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Folquin in Pitgam, mentioned in 1072, preserves notable Romanesque remains, including a square tower made of iron stone from Mount Cassel, typical of the 11th–12th centuries. Its twin openings in the middle of the wall, decorated with billets, and its polygonal arrow testify to this period. The plan of the building, in the shape of a church-halle with nave, low-sides of the same height, salient transept and polygonal choir, reflects the large regional constructions.

In the 15th century (date 1453 engraved on a wall), the church underwent transformations, then was partially rebuilt in brick in the 16th century, adopting the hallekirque style. A pillar is dated 1557. The western facade features a Renaissance portal in moulded brick and limestone. Destroyed in 1644, burned by the English in 1658 and 1661, it was repaired in 1666 and restored in the 17th century. The windows of the sanctuary were redesigned in 1788, replacing the broken arches with segmental arches.

Inside, covered with wooden vaults, houses furniture from the 17th to 18th centuries, including Flemish altarpieces probably from Dunkirk shipyards. The pillars of the nave were changed into Tuscan columns in 1847. Classified as a Historic Monument in 2006, the church illustrates the architectural evolutions and historical tumults of the region, from medieval invasions to Anglo-French conflicts.

The materials, such as the alternation of brick and stone in the southern transept, or the ribbed vaults of the sacristy, highlight the reconstruction phases. The triple ridge vault and the hip roof complete this hybrid ensemble, combining Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance. The restorations of the 19th to 20th centuries preserved this heritage, today communal property.

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