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Origin and history

The Saint-Maurice de Lille church, located on Rue Pierre-Mauroy, is an emblematic monument that spans centuries, from the end of the 14th century to the end of the 19th century. Ranked as a historic monument in 1840, it features Gothic and Gothic architecture, marked by a slender nave, a choir to walk around and radiant chapels. Its history is complex, with phases of construction, enlargement and restoration that reflect the architectural and urban evolutions of Lille.

The first written mention of the church dates back to 1066, in an act of creation of the Collège Saint-Pierre, but its origin could be older, linked to a primitive settlement or a place of worship dedicated to Mars. The construction of the current building begins at the end of the 14th century, with the last two spans of the nave and transept. The choir, collaterals and side chapels were added between 1421 and 1431, while the nave was enlarged westward and a tower built in the 15th century. This tower, destroyed in the 19th century, will be replaced by a bell tower designed by architect Philippe Cannissié.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, lateral chapels were added, and the vaults, originally planned, were finally erected between 1615 and 1623. The nave is then raised to the height of the choir, and a wooden lantern tower is erected at the cross of the transept. The latter was abolished in 1805 and replaced by an umbrella. The 19th century marked a period of major restoration under the direction of Philippe Cannissié, which unified the appearance of the building and added sacristies, western spans and a bell tower. The church, initially approached to become a cathedral, saw its project aborted with the construction of Notre-Dame-de-la-Treille.

The interior of the church, stripped during the French Revolution, was enriched in the 19th century by neo-Gothic furniture and stained glass by Charles Gaudelet and Victor Mottez. Several bombings in the 20th century damaged the windows, replaced by Pierre Turpin. In 2001, a criminal arson ravaged the southern sacristy, triggering a restoration campaign that continued until 2020, including the repair of roofs, facades and courtyards. The church also houses notable works of art, such as paintings by Jakob van Oost and Louis Joseph Watteau, as well as a funeral monument dedicated to the Duke of Berry.

The architecture of Saint-Maurice is remarkable for its style of church hall, where all vessels are of the same height, and its original bedside inspired by the former collegiate Saint-Pierre. The interior decor, sober but elegant, includes columns with capitals of curly cabbage leaves and an openwork walkway. Outside, the façade combines Gothic and neo-Gothic elements, while the 57-metre high tower dominates the urban landscape. The church remains a major testimony of Lille's religious and architectural history, mixing medieval heritage and modern interventions.

The parish of Saint-Maurice, one of the oldest in Lille, was among the most populated in the 17th and 18th centuries. Its territory, extended by the successive enlargements of the city, reflects its historical importance. Today, the church continues to play a central role in Lille's cultural and spiritual life, while attracting visitors for its artistic heritage and unique architecture.

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