Église Saint-Étienne (Church of Saint-Étienne), Lille

The Church of Saint-Étienne, located in Lille, is a significant Roman Catholic church with the designation of Historic Monument since 1987. Dedicated to Saint Stephen, it stands as one of the largest Jesuit-built churches in France.

The church originated as a Jesuit chapel, part of their broader presence in Lille since 1562. Constructed initially between 1605 and 1610, it suffered destruction by fire in 1740. François-Joseph Gombert, following Dominique Delesalle’s plans, led its reconstruction from 1743, overcoming interruptions by military conflicts, and completing it in 1748. The building was consecrated in 1750, and after the expulsion of the Jesuits from France in 1765, it served as a chapel for the local college and military hospital.

Architecturally, the church displays a classical Roman Baroque style, characterized by a 29-meter-high stone façade, a 57-meter bell tower with a campanile adjacent to the choir, and an interior layout based on a Latin cross. The interior spans 61 meters in length and includes a nave with seven bays, side chapels, and a choir ending in a semi-circular apse. The ceilings over the choir and aisles feature ogive vaulting, while the nave boasts a barrel vault. The flooring of black and white marble originates from the earlier chapel, and its stained glass windows, crafted by Charles Gaudelet between 1854 and 1862, add a vivid touch.

Notable furnishings include a pulpit sculpted by François Rude between 1825 and 1828, depicting an angel and cherubs above figures of Faith and Hope, and an organ built in 1840 by Daublaine Callinet, subsequently modified to include 39 stops, three keyboards, and pedals. The church, through its historical layers and artistic contributions, continues to be a central spiritual and cultural landmark in Lille.