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Origin and history

The Saint-Hilaire church of Halluin, located in the Northern Department, is the main Catholic religious building in the city. Dedicated to Saint Hilaire, it depends on the archdiocese of Lille and the dean of the Hauts de Lys. Its history reflects the political and religious upheavals of the region, from its medieval foundation to its successive reconstructions.

The first church, dating from the early twelfth century, served as a necropolis for local lords before being destroyed in 1579 by Protestants. A second church, consecrated in 1603 by the bishop of Tournai, was razed in 1678 on the order of Louis XIV to build a fort. A third church, built in 1687, was sold as a stone quarry during the Revolution in 1799, before being replaced at the beginning of the 19th century by a fourth building, quickly considered too small.

The present Gothic-style church was built between 1856 and 1858 according to the plans of architect Charles Leroy, a regional specialist. Measuring 61 meters long with an arrow of 69 meters, it houses remarkable furniture, including a white marble high altar and wooden stalls. During the First World War, it served as a stable for German soldiers and little escaped destruction in 1940. Restored in 2009, it now reveals frescoes by Henri Cleenewerck.

Its partially modern stained glass windows illustrate biblical themes such as the Immaculate Conception or psalms, while the Rosace represents King David. The church, still active, hosts Sunday Masses and depends on the parish of Notre-Dame de la Lys, bringing together the three churches of Halluin. Its history bears witness to religious conflicts, reconstructions linked to population growth and contemporary restorations.

The 1906 inventories caused tensions, with deterioration of furniture and barricade of sacristy by parishioners. These events illustrate the population's attachment to this place of worship, a symbol of its local and religious identity for nearly nine centuries.

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