Église Saint-Vaast d'Armentières, Catholic church in the center of Armentières, northern France
The église Saint-Vaast d'Armentières is a Catholic church in the center of Armentières, in northern France, with a tower rising to 83 meters (272 feet) and a nave about 80 meters (262 feet) long. The building was rebuilt after World War I in a Gothic-inspired style, featuring high vaulted ceilings, large stained-glass windows, and stone carvings.
The church dates back to the early Middle Ages and once belonged to the Abbey of Saint-Vaast in Arras. After repeated sackings and fires between the 14th and 17th centuries, and a period of closure during the French Revolution, the entire building was rebuilt in a Gothic style between 1852 and 1864 by architect Dutouquet from Valenciennes. It was then almost entirely destroyed by bombing during World War I before being rebuilt by architect Louis-Marie Cordonnier and reopened in 1929.
The church is named after Saint Vedastus, an early medieval bishop who is particularly venerated across the Flanders region. His connection to the town goes back centuries and is mentioned in documents from the time of Charles the Bald.
The church stands right on the main square of Armentières and is easy to reach on foot from the train station. Visiting on a weekday tends to be quieter and gives more time to look around the interior without crowds.
The last Mass held in the ruins of the bombed-out building took place in May 1921, during a visit by Marshal Foch, one of the most recognized military figures of World War I. During that same period, a large carved wooden crucifix and a gilded statue of the Virgin Mary were rescued from the rubble and can still be seen inside today.
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