Église Notre-Dame de Fives, church located in Nord, in France
Église Notre-Dame de Fives is a 19th-century Gothic Revival church in the Fives neighborhood of Lille. Built from red brick, it features a tall tower with a pointed roof, pointed arches and tall windows typical of the style, a nave with two side aisles, stained glass windows by Ernest Haussaire made between 1899 and 1904, and four paintings by Bruno Chérier in the chancel area.
Construction took place from 1852 to 1856, replacing a medieval priory that had occupied the site since 1104. The building suffered bomb damage during the world wars and its bells were melted down by Germans in 1915 but returned in 1923; a major restoration from 2010 to 2015 included new cast bells and its listing as a historic monument in 2015.
The name refers to the Virgin Mary and the Fives neighborhood where it stands. The church serves as a gathering place for the local community to celebrate religious traditions and mark important occasions together.
The church is easily reached by metro line 1 at Fives station and sits on Place du Prieuré in the heart of the neighborhood. Visits are free and possible outside regular services and special events, though checking opening times beforehand is wise as they can change depending on activities or ceremonies scheduled.
The church's bells were melted down by German troops in 1915 but were among the few returned in 1923, unlike most other churches. The new bells blessed in 2011 after restoration bear names like Marie Martin and Jeanne Karol as a tribute to local history.
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