Home > NORTH & EAST > Religious edifices
Art-Deco style, former parish church near to Belgium
Location
In the middle of an administrative centre of a thriving “canton” in the Thiérache region, in the north east of the French department of Aisne, between the north and the Ardennes, near to Belgium.
In the heart of the “Pays des Trois Rivières”, surrounded by two large forests, and near to an abbey founded in the tenth century, now a music mecca, shared between festivals, shows, concerts and recordings.
Between Saint-Quentin and Charleville, approx. two hours from Lille, Brussels and Luxembourg.
Less than three hours from Paris.
The setting is little urbanised, open countryside.
Description
This basilica-style church, made of reinforced concrete, has two aisles flanking a nave, with seven bays and a flat apse. Certain elements are also made of breeze block with cement rendering. The west facade, 23 m (75.5 ft) high, is flanked by two towers.
A bell tower adjacent to the nave, to the left of the choir, which was accessed via the crypt or from the outside, and which reached a height of 45 m (148 ft), with a spire also made of concrete, was dismantled at the end of 2008. All that remains are two pillars united by a capital.
The aisles are covered by an exposed concrete ceiling, the nave by a barrel vault. The gable roof covering the nave and the shed roof covering the aisles are made of synthetic slate.
A rectangular building with five bays, with a square storey, covered with a terrace, adjoined to the apse, shelters the vestry and the parish meeting rooms.
In addition to a mezzanine and a basement, the building comprises a crypt with three bays, the central bay sheltering a chapel. This crypt is supported by columns.
Stained glass windows, sculptures, mouldings, garlands, and a winding stairway with windows, complete the architectural vestments.
A large, circular stained glass window adorns the upper section of the end wall of the building, its perimeter being parallel and symmetrical with the arch of the ceiling vault.
The gable of the west facade is topped by a cross. Below it is a full-size standing statue of a saint, haloed by a large rosette, and displayed in an Art-Deco style bas-relief, with kneeling angels on either side of a text on a plaque.
The double columns in the nave are crowned with capitals featuring floral decor.
The elements of internal architectural modenature also include a very stylish geometric, floral decor.
The twelve leaded windowpanes of the nave, or bays, are large semicircular arched windows, in three elements, of which the upper part of the internal tableau is decorated with garlands.
On either side and above, sculpted medallions adorn the walls.
The recent blocking up of the windows from the outside does not prevent daylight from illuminating the entire nave.
In front of the grounds surrounding the building, there is a car park on the side and on the parvis, in front of the building.
The building has a total surface area of approx. 900 m² (9,687 sq ft) and grounds of almost 2,200 m² (0.54 acres).
Our opinion
A former place of worship, it is true, but of a construction and architecture that is out of the ordinary. Its configuration just exudes potential for numerous uses.
An unusual and original site that arouses and stimulates the imagination. Conversion possibilities for personal and professional uses.
Such an extraordinary building would obviously lend itself to an artistic activity, why not a site for creating, exhibiting or putting on shows, for example.
A superb opportunity to change from a place of worship to a cultural centre.
The proximity of the frontiers of the Benelux countries and those of Northern Europe does, without doubt, represent an additional asset.
Exclusive sale
145 000 €
Our fees are included in the stated sale price.
Reference 3148BVM
| Land registry surface area | 21a76ca |
| Main building surface area | 900 m² (9,687 sq ft) |
Regional representative
Bruno Van Montagu +33 (0)6 43 61 86 27
NB: The above information is not only the result of our visit to the property; it is also based on information provided by the current owner. It is by no means comprehensive or strictly accurate especially where surface areas and construction dates are concerned. We cannot, therefore, be held liable for any misrepresentation.
