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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Saint-Martin church of Hénin-Beaumont replaces a 12th century medieval building, classified as a Historic Monument in 1827 and destroyed in 1917 by German troops during their retreat. Dynamized in 1918, the old church, remodeled over the centuries (the 15th tower, the 18th choir), was razed in 1926 to give way to an ambitious reconstruction.

The municipality entrusted the project to Maurice Boutterin, chief architect of the government and Grand Prix of Rome, after the rejection of several neo-Gothic proposals by André Dufau. Boutterin opted for a basilical plan inspired by Byzantium, with a concrete frame dressed in reconstituted stone, an octagonal dome of 50 meters, and four bell towers. The work, begun in 1929, mobilized local artisans such as Broucke and son for a project completed in 1932.

The building is distinguished by its furniture designed by Boutterin (luminaires, confessionals, altars in white marble and gold) and its interior decorations: red and gold mosaics, glass windows by Jean Gaudin (including two large bays representing Saint Martin and Saint Vaast), and a cross road by Henri Rapin. The Pietà Chapel houses a bas-relief of Gustave Crauk. Ranked in 2003, the church illustrates the architectural innovation of the interwar period, combining technical modernity and Byzantine heritage.

A symbol of post-First World War reconstruction, the Church of Saint Martin also embodies local resilience. Its plan centered around a dome, its hybrid materials (concrete, reconstructed stone, slate) and glass slab stained glass windows reflect a desire for renewal while honoring the past. The organs, the work of the Frères Coupleux de Lille, complement this artistic and liturgical ensemble unique in the Hauts-de-France.

The ancient church, the spiritual heart of the city since the Middle Ages, was a major gathering place before its destruction. Its reconstruction, financed by the damage of war, addressed a twofold challenge: restoring an identity mark for the inhabitants and adopting modern techniques to sustain the building. Today, it remains an architectural testimony to the challenges and hopes of the post-war period.

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