Saint-Martin Church of Merbes-le-Château
A moment steeped in history in the heart of a 12th-century church
Église Saint-Martin is a listed building with a bulbous bell tower, where you can discover the remains of heritage dating back to the Middle Ages. Visiting this church makes you realise the importance of our heritage through the generations.
In the footsteps of our parents, grandparents and so on.
The entrance, a large, red wooden door, is located at the foot of the bell tower. You can see stones, which have been worn down by the many visitors, at the bottom of this entrance. Indeed, this reminds you of the comings and goings of numerous generations who gathered here for baptisms, funerals or simply to attend services.
Once you enter the building, your gaze is immediately drawn to the choir, which is the last visible element of the primitive Romanesque church and dates to the 12th century. You can imagine the changes that have been made inside the church over the centuries: the construction of the nave, with its columns with Mosan capitals, in the 13th century, the addition of the tower and the vault in the 16th century and the renovation of the building during the 18th century.
Ultimately, you’ll find that you only appreciate the details when you take the time to really look at each piece. The building surprises, especially when you put ourselves in the shoes of the people who designed it.
All of these details of our heritage just waiting to be discovered
The church is brimming with little treasures that you will discover as you explore. You can enjoy looking at the stained-glass windows in the nave. No two are the same. Each piece narrates a different story, each connected to the promises of the Sacred Heart.
Another point of interest is the taulet. This tombstone, which hangs on the wall, recounts the story of Jehan Jamet, his wife and their six children in quite a bit of detail. Jehan was a potter in Merbes-le-Château in the early 15th century. While we can see the family presenting themselves to the Virgin Mary, this stone also calls to mind the history of Merbes-le-Château, which was once known as Merbes-Poteries and known for the many craftsmen who lived there.
You'll also enjoy finding the Statue of Saint Martin, the patron saint of farriers, beggars and the police. Can you figure out why Martin is known for only giving away half his coat?
The story of a saint who dived into the water
Another anecdote that is steeped in history is the statue of the ‘God of Mercy’, which is made from a large piece of wood. This recalls the stakes of the French Revolution. Churches were looted during this era. Église Saint-Martin was no exception.
Villagers decided to hide the furniture from the church, except this famous statue, which was far too big to fit into a house. They found a special hiding place for it: the Sambre river. They threw the statue into the river, knowing that the oak was water-resistant. Once tensions had subsided, they fished the statue, which was well preserved, out of the river. Only the head was missing. As a result, a new head was produced.
Ultimately, each and every detail of this church reminds you of the importance of our heritage and all the stories it has to tell about our history.
