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  3. Hauts-de-France
  4. Pas-de-Calais
  5. 62219 Wisques

  6. Abbey Saint-Paul de Wisques

 Abbey Saint-Paul de Wisques dans le Pas-de-Calais

Patrimoine classé
Patrimoine religieux
Abbaye
Pas-de-Calais

Abbey Saint-Paul de Wisques

    50 Rue de l'Ecole
    62219 Wisques
Property of a cultural association
Museums of France
All abbeys, monasteries and priories of France
Abbaye Saint-Paul de Wisques
Abbaye Saint-Paul de Wisques
Abbaye Saint-Paul de Wisques
Crédit photo : Strikehard - Sous licence Creative Commons

Timeline

XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
1900
2000
1889
Foundation of the Abbey
1901
Exile to the Netherlands
1920
Return to France
1957
Construction of the chapel
2013
Arrival of the monks of Fontgombault
2014
Historical monument classification
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Heritage classified

In total, the buildings of the abbey comprising the buildings and galleries forming a linked ensemble, with the two cloisters and their fences, the terrace of the former castle, as well as the campanile and the pavilion Dom Bellot, and the ground of the four plots (cad. A 23, 27, 28 and 548, place-named "Enclosure du Château") as delimited in red and pink on the plan annexed to the decree: classification by decree of 28 February 2014

Key figures

Dom Bellot - Architect Designs the northeast wing of the abbey.
Joseph Philippe - Architect and disciple Collaborate with Dom Bellot.
Dom Gérard Lafond - Abbé (1985-2005) Involved in a political scandal.
Père Guilluy - Founding monk Creates a congregation for monks with disabilities.
Dom Jean Pateau - Administrator (2013-2016) Leads after the monks arrive.
Dom Damien Thévenin - Abbed since 2021 Elected in 2023.

Origin and history

Saint-Paul de Wisques Abbey is a Benedictine abbey founded in 1889 by monks of Solesmes, invited by the nuns of Notre-Dame de Wisques Abbey to serve as chaplains. Originally settled in a small castle, the monks then settled in the large castle, transformed into a priory in 1894. Chassed by the anti-Catholic laws of 1901, they exiled to the Netherlands, where they founded the abbey Saint-Paul d'Oosterhout, before returning to France in 1920 after the First World War.

Upon their return, the monks built brick buildings, enlarged under the direction of Dom Bellot and his disciple Joseph Philippe. During World War II, some monks were taken prisoner in 1940, but all returned in 1945. The abbey is still growing with a chapel built in 1957 and a hotel in 1968. In 1989, a police search was conducted as part of Paul Touvier's search, without result.

In 2009, after Abbé Jacques Lubrez's brutal death, Dom Armand Sauvaget was appointed prior administrator. The abbey, threatened with disappearance for lack of novices, was saved in 2013 by the arrival of thirteen monks from Notre-Dame de Fontgombault Abbey. Since then, she has followed the rites of Fontgombault and continues to receive spiritual retreats, faithful to the Benedictine rule Ora et labora.

The abbey is also known for having housed Father Guilluy, founder of a congregation welcoming monks with disabilities or in depression. It was listed as a historical monument in 2013, and in 2014 was classified for its buildings, cloisters, campanile and Dom Bellot pavilion. Several abbots followed each other, including Dom Gérard Lafond, involved in a political scandal, and Dom Jean Pateau, administrator after the arrival of the monks of Fontgombault.

Today, the abbey of Saint-Paul de Wisques remains an active place of monastic life, marked by a turbulent history, between exiles, reconstructions and spiritual renewals. Its architecture reflects these different periods, from the original castle to the modern extensions, including Dom Bellot's achievements.

External links

Page Wikipedia
Page Monumentum