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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Church of St.Martin of Wormhout, dedicated to St.Martin, is a Catholic building located in the northern department of Hauts-de-France. Built mainly in the 16th and 17th centuries, it is representative of the typical sand brick architecture of the region. Its history dates back to a first foundation in 695, including a monastery, but its present structure is the result of a great restoration carried out between 1547 and 1616. The tower, completed in 1689, lost its arrow at the Battle of Hondschoote in 1793, marking a tumultuous episode of its past.

The church has been classified as historical monuments since November 2, 1987, replacing an earlier 1986 inscription. It is distinguished by its bell tower-porch and its status as a church-halle, an architectural peculiarity where the lateral naves have the same height as the central nave. This classification recognizes its heritage value and its role in local religious history.

A significant event in its history was the Miracle of Notre-Dame des Larmes in 1406. According to the archives, a cleric discovers the mantle of the statue of the Virgin on earth three times, while the statue sheds tears, a phenomenon attested by the priest of Ledringhem and parishioners. This miracle, recorded by Edmond-Louis Blomme, reinforces the sacred and historical character of the building.

Today, the Church of St Martin remains a symbol of Wormhout's religious and architectural heritage. Its brick construction, its transformations over the centuries and its ranking make it an emblematic place of the region, open to the visit and managed by the municipality. Available sources, such as Wikipedia and the Mérimée base, confirm its importance in the cultural landscape of Hauts-de-France.

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