Church of Saint-Omer 2010 Merck-Saint-Liévin (1)

9 country churches worth a visit

A unique religious heritage

When we think of religious heritage in the Pays de Saint-Omer, the first buildings that spring to mind are the more imposing ones, such as Notre-Dame Cathedral in Saint-Omer or Saint-Pierre Collegiate Church in Aire-sur-la-Lys. But let’s not forget the many pretty little (or even large) churches in our region. While some are little-known, others , listed as Monuments Historiques, have important histories and astonishing anecdotes. Venture off the beaten track and discover these charming churches.

Northern red brick

Saint-Jacques d'Enquin-lez-Guinegatte church

We start with a rather unusual church, rebuilt in red brick in 1960 after it was destroyed by bombing during the Second World War. This post-war church stands out in the landscape, even though red brick is one of the emblematic materials of the Nord Pas-de-Calais region. Nevertheless, it has managed to preserve its bronze bell, cast by Beaudoin and Jussaud in 1776, and classified in 1943 as a Monument Historique movable object.

Saint-Jacques Church Enquin-lez-Guinegatte (1)

Saint Martin Church Detail Esquerdes (2)

The arrow in the sky

Saint-Martin d'Esquerdes church

You’re immediately struck by this bell tower with its spire, which seems out of proportion to the body of the church. There’s a very simple reason for this: the spire was added under the influence of the new Gothic style emerging in the centuries following its creation in the mid-12th century. Saint-Martin is one of the few churches in the Pas-de-Calais region to date from the transition between the Romanesque and Gothic eras. Gothic developments are not unrelated to the presence of the lords of Esquerdes, including the illustrious Philippe de Crèvecœur, knight of the Golden Fleece, whose 15th-century tower still stands in the château opposite. Now on the route of the Via Francigena, it delights all walkers and pilgrims who rediscover this building and its rich past.

All styles in one

The three steeples of Mametz

Not one church, but three. It’s hard to tell them apart, but they do have the distinction of being on a lovely hiking trail: the sentier des trois clochers. This 15 km trail allows you to discover the three villages that have earned Mametz its nickname of Village aux Trois Clochers. The church of Saint-Vaast in Mametz, the church of Saint-Quentin in the hamlet of Marthes and the church of Saint-Honoré in Crecques , allow you to see almost every architectural style on a single trail.

Saint-Honoré de Crecques Church 2010 Mametz

Saint-Quentin de Marthes Church 2010 Mametz

Church Sainte-Colombe Nave Blendecques (1)

Sainte Colombe Church 2009 Blendecques (2)

Church of Saint Columba Baptism 2010 Blendecques (1)

The valiant Jehan de Terline

Church of Sainte-Colombe in Blendecques

Aesthetically, Sainte-Colombe church, built between 1858 and 1870, is a subtle blend of neo-Romanesque and Gothic elements: pointed steeple, ribbed crossing, etc. The real treasure is the magnificent 16th-century carved furniture from the abbey of Sainte-Colombe.cle from the abbey of the Dames de Sainte-Colombe, as well as a stele in tribute to its Great War aviator hero, Jehan de Terline, born in 1892 in Blendecques. The young fighter, born in Blendecques on July 21, 1892, joined the Neuvième régiment de cuirassiers in 1914. A skilled aviator, he scored two victories in 1916, but it was the third that made him a household name. On July 27, 1916, short of ammunition, he deliberately chose to shoot down his adversary, a German albatross, which was carrying out important photo missions. After the collision and a vertiginous fall, both the German crew and the valiant aviator died in the crash. This deliberate boarding was seen as an act of great bravery, and earned the Blendecquois posthumous fame.

Heritage and hiking

Church of the Sacred Heart of Tilques

Another pretty church on the edge of a hiking trail, you might ask? Yes, but this one is the starting and finishing point of one of the region’s prettiest hikes: the Lansbergue. A trail in the heart of the Audomarois marshes, the Lansbergue blends nature and heritage with the neo-Gothic Sacré-Coeur church.

The shining organ

Saint-Médard Church in Tournehem-sur-la-Hem

Rebuilt in the Gothic tradition in the 17th and 18th centuries, Saint-Médard church boasts exceptional furnishings, including an 18th-century organ and a set of eight panels painted on both sides.These include an 18th-century organ and a set of eight panels painted on both sides, depicting the Passion of Christ and complementary scenes featuring Saints Francis, Gregory and John. The church is also linked to the history of France through its creation in the 15th century by Antoine de Bourgogne, known as the Great Bastard of Burgundy, an emblematic figure in the history of France.

View of the village of Acquin-Westbécourt (4)

The dean

Sainte-Pétronille d'Acquin-Westbécourt church

Dating in all probability from the 15th century, Sainte-Pétronille is a Gothic-style church belonging to the Saint-Bertin abbey, whose only legacy is the Guérardine bell saved from the Revolution. It had four bells, including one dedicated to Gérard d’Haméricourt, the first bishop of Saint-Omer. The building, like the neighboring farmhouse, was constructed from chalk quarried from the Acquin hillsides. Sainte-Pétronille is certainly the oldest church in the Saint-Omer region.

The sailors' rendezvous

Saint-Omer Church in Merck-Saint-Liévin

Saint-Omer church in Merck-Saint-Liévin is one of the most beautiful churches in the Artois region. Burnt down in 1638 by French troops, then looted in 1710, and damaged during the First World War, it boasts a magnificent openwork bracketed spire built in the 16th century. Its distinctive feature is that it is above all a place of pilgrimage for sailors to venerate the relics of the Irishman St. Levin. Every year, on the first Sunday in July, mass is celebrated in memory of Saint Liévin, in the presence of sailors from Boulonnais, and with the traditional distribution of blessed bread. The cult of Saint Liévin began in the 17th century.

The fountain of youth

Saint-Michel de Roquetoire Church

Located in the heart of a Heritage Village between the towns of Aire-sur-la-Lys and Saint-Omer, the church of Saint-Michel de Roquetoire can be seen behind the village roofs. The origins of this little village go back a very long way, with a thermal spa already existing on this already inhabited land. Water has played an important role in the history of this commune, as the legend of the Saint-Michel spring shows. According to legend, Saint Michel caused a spring to gush forth during a period of great drought. Since the time of Saint Louis, the church has been placed under his patronage. The Saint-Michel fountain still exists and, it is said, has never run dry.