Église Saint-Joseph de Roubaix, Gothic church in Fontenoy district, Roubaix, France
Église Saint-Joseph de Roubaix is a church in the Fontenoy district, constructed with brick and Tournai stone on its exterior. A 50-meter spire rises above the neighborhood and defines the local skyline.
Belgian architect Jean-Baptiste Bethune designed this church between 1876 and 1878 to serve the expanding textile worker population. The building arose during a period when the city was growing rapidly and required new religious spaces.
The interior walls display textile patterns from the late 1800s and early 1900s, reflecting the industrial heritage of the community. These decorative elements serve as a visual record of the region's economic importance during its textile manufacturing era.
The building reopened in 2021 after extensive restoration work and offers regular religious services to the public. Visitors should check in advance which times are available for viewing outside of service hours.
The Rosary stained glass window was created by Stalins-Janssels workshops in Antwerp and won a Gold Medal at the 1889 Paris Universal Exhibition. This award-winning artwork remains one of the building's most notable decorative elements.
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