Saint Lawrence Church of Anstaing dans le Nord

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Origin and history

The St. Lawrence Church of Anstaing is associated with a chapel surrounding a source, known for its healing virtues against burns and skin diseases. According to local tradition, this source was miraculously opened by Saint Piat de Seclin during his visit to the area. Each year, in August, a nine-day (Neuve) pilgrimage is organized, attracting faithful in search of healing.

Anstaing, where this church stands, has a medieval history marked by the presence of an old castle built by the Counts of Flanders, still visible in the eighteenth century. The commune also had a pilgrim hospital, abandoned after violence against its guards. The property of this hospital was then transferred to the Saint-Sauveur Hospital in Lille. The seigneury of Anstaing, on the other hand, changed hands several times, especially in the 18th century with noble families such as the Maistre or the Fiennes.

In the 15th century, Anstaing depended on Ascq, a nearby town. Later, in 1693, the lands of Anstaing and Gruson were erected as Marquisat under the name of Marquisat de Fiennes by Louis XIV, in recognition of the services rendered by Maximilien de Fiennes, Marshal of the camps and armies of the king. This marquisat was confirmed in 1776 for Auguste-Joseph-Félicité de Matharel, descendant of the Fiennes family. These nobles played a role in the local and military administration of Flanders.

The region, located in the Mélantois at the edge of the Pévele, was a strategic agricultural territory, crossed by the Marque River. The latter, 32 km long, influenced the local economy, particularly through its flow regulated by hydrological developments. The municipality, close to Lille, also enjoyed an advantageous geographical position, between the towns of Douai and Tournai, in a sedimentary basin suitable for agriculture.

Land use in Anstaing has evolved over the centuries, from agricultural domination (70.7% in 2018) to increasing urbanization, particularly under the influence of the European Metropolis of Lille. Historical maps, such as that of Cassini (18th century), show this transformation, while parish and seigneurial registers attest to the religious and noble anchoring of the commune.

Today, St. Lawrence Church remains a place of popular devotion, reflecting the persistence of local traditions. Its association with Saint Piat and miraculous healings makes it a religious and cultural heritage, rooted in Flemish history and the identity of the Hauts-de-France.

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