Battle of Azincourt 1415 (≈ 1415)
Death of Colart of Bethune, local lord.
XVIe - XVIIe siècles
Construction of church
Construction of church XVIe - XVIIe siècles (≈ 1750)
Main construction period identified.
22 juin 1902
Inauguration of the bust of Émile Decroix
Inauguration of the bust of Émile Decroix 22 juin 1902 (≈ 1902)
Tribute to the town hall.
10 juin 1926
Registration for Historic Monuments
Registration for Historic Monuments 10 juin 1926 (≈ 1926)
Official classification of the building.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
Colart de Béthune - Lord of Berlette
Died at the Battle of Azincourt in 1415.
Émile Decroix - Military veterinarian and promoter of hippophagy
Bust inaugurated in 1902 in front of the town hall.
Origin and history
Saint-Martin de Savy-Berlette Church is a religious building located in the municipality of Savy-Berlette, in the department of Pas-de-Calais (Hauts-de-France). It has been listed as a historic monument since June 10, 1926. Its architecture, typical of the fortified churches of the region, includes a hooked arrow, characteristic shared with other churches of the neighbouring communes. The periods of construction identified date back to the 16th and 17th centuries, according to available sources.
The municipality of Savy-Berlette, where this church stands, is marked by a rural and agricultural history, as evidenced by its land use mainly dedicated to arable land (85.8% in 2018). The territory, crossed by the Scarpe River, was also a quartering place for troops during the First World War, notably in 1914 and 1915. This local historical context underscores the importance of religious buildings as community landmarks and symbols of resistance.
The church is a central element of Savy-Berlette's architectural heritage, a community member of the Artois Campaigns community. Its designation as historic monuments reflects its architectural and historical heritage value. The presence of a bust dedicated to Emile Decroix, a military veterinarian and local figure, in front of the town hall, also reminds the city of its roots in wider social and cultural issues, such as the promotion of hippophagy or the fight against tobacco in the early twentieth century.
From a geographical point of view, Savy-Berlette is located near Arras, Pas-de-Calais prefecture, and is part of the attraction area of this city. Its relief, varying between 92 and 138 meters above sea level, and its degraded ocean climate, characterized by humid winters and cool summers, also influence the preservation and appearance of historic buildings such as St.Martin's Church.
Finally, the building is part of a changing rural landscape, where urbanization is growing slowly (10.6% of urbanised areas in 2018). Its status as a historical monument makes it a point of interest for local initiatives to enhance heritage, such as the Heritage Village label, awarded to the municipality to highlight its architectural and cultural heritage.
