Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Saint Martin de Nortkerque came into being in 1269 when Arnould III, Count of Guînes, ordered its construction. This first building, symbol of local seigneurial power, marks the religious anchoring of the region in the Middle Ages. Its destruction took place almost three centuries later, in 1595, during the conflicts linked to the reconquest of the Artois by Henry IV, illustrating the political and military turbulences of the time.

The reconstruction of the church in 1642 coincided with a period of post-war stabilization of Religion, reflecting the resilience of local communities. However, the French Revolution was another blow to the building: sold to demolishers of Arras as a national good, it was razed for the resale of its materials. This fate, shared by many places of worship, bears witness to the anti-clerical upheavals of the late eighteenth century.

The present church owes its form to a reconstruction in 1836, in a context of restoration of religious heritage under the July monarchy. Its bell tower, added in 1934, is distinguished by its art deco style, entrusted to the architect Roger Poyé. Inspired by the building of the Officers of the port of Calais (now extinct), this aesthetic choice reflects the openness to the modern currents of the inter-war period, while anchoring the building in its territory.

Today, the Church of St. Martin embodies almost eight centuries of history, from medieval lords to the innovations of the twentieth century, to revolutionary destruction. Its eclectic architecture makes it a privileged witness to the cultural and political developments of Nord-Pas-de-Calais.

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