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All French heritage classified by regions, departments and cities

  2. Patrimoine
  3. Hauts-de-France
  4. Nord
  5. 59100 Roubaix

  6. Protestant Temple

Protestant Temple à Roubaix dans le Nord

Nord

Protestant Temple

    31 Rue des Arts
    59100 Roubaix
Photo de Protestant Temple
Crédit photo : VVVCFFrance - Sous licence Creative Commons

Timeline

Révolution/Empire
XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
1800
1900
2000
1840
Protestant presence in Roubaix
1865
Foundation of the Reformed Parish
1867
Construction of a first temple at the Cross
1869–1871
Construction of the current temple
1939–1945
Commitment of Paul Pasche
2011
Registration for historical monuments
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Heritage classified

The temple, its annexes including the building located in the garden and its enclosure wall on the street, in full (Box KS 21-23): inscription by order of 17 June 2011

Key figures

Isaac Holden - Industrial and donor Finished the structure of the temple.
J.-J. Schulthess - Architect Designed the temple between 1869 and 1871.
Auguste Dupire-Deschamps - Architect Director Supervised the work of the temple.
Elie Gounelle - Full Pastor (1903–1907) First pastor after the foundation.
Freddy Durrlemann - Auxiliary Pastor then holder Replaced Gounelle in 1907.
Paul Pasche - Resistant Pasteur *Just among the Nations* in 1992.

Origin and history

The Protestant temple of Roubaix originated in the industrial boom of the city in the 19th century. As early as the 1840s, a Protestant community, mainly composed of mill workers supervised by British Methodists, settled in Roubaix. A first place of worship was built in 1867 at Croix thanks to Isaac Holden, an English industrialist and donor, but it has now disappeared. Population growth and the influx of Protestant workers motivated the creation of an independent Reformed Parish in Lille in 1865 and the construction of a new temple in Roubaix.

The present temple, designed between 1869 and 1871 by the Amienese architect J.-J. Schulthess and led by Auguste Dupire-Deschamps, is financed by a subscription of the faithful and donations, including that of Isaac Holden for wooden frames. Inaugurated in 1871, it is distinguished by its neo-Romanesque brick architecture, its rosacea, and its interior panelled with oak, contrasting with waxed wooden vaults. The site also includes a presbytery and a parish house, forming a coherent whole. The temple becomes a central place for Protestants of Roubaix and neighbouring communes (Tourcoing, Wattrelos, etc.).

In the 20th century, the temple received cults in French and Flemish, reflecting the linguistic diversity of the region. Several pastors marked his history, such as Elie Gounelle (1903–1907), Freddy Durrlemann (1906–1913), or Paul Pasche (1939), the latter being honored as Just among the Nations for his commitment to the Resistance. In 2011, the temple was listed as a historical monument for its architecture and heritage role. Today, it is home to a united Protestant community active in the Lille metropolis.

Baroque organ, restored in 2007, and oak stands highlight the interior richness of the place. The temple symbolizes both the industrial heritage of Roubaix, marked by British influence, and the vitality of Protestantism in the North. Its registration in 2011 recognizes its historical, architectural and social value, while preserving its cultural use for the faithful of the region.

External links

Page Wikipedia
Page Monumentum