Audruicq church
Saint-Martin church
The church consists of three parallel aisles. The naves are built of pale, sandy-coloured bricks typical of the region, with Gothic-style openings. The square-ended chancel, added at the end of the 19th century, is constructed of white stone.
An octagonal turret was added in 1772 to the bell tower, originally built in 1703, to provide access to the bells cast in Douai by Drouot in 1878. There are four bells in total. One of them bears the inscription: ‘I was given by the community of Audruick in the year 1715.’
The stained-glass windows were made in 1867 by Félix Courmont of Arras (with the exception of those on the west side and in the narthex). They were destroyed by the explosion of the English Camp on 21 July 1916 (from 1 a.m. to 2 p.m.). The windows were restored in 1919; two of them were donated by British soldiers and depict Saint Patrick and Saint George, their patron saints. These are located in the chancel.
Key features
The altarpiece
Dating from 1897, it frames a copy of the famous painting Christ on the Cross by Velázquez, the original of which is housed in the Prado Museum in Madrid. It was a gift from Emperor Napoleon III.
The main altar
Known as the Saint Nicholas altar, it dates from 1896 and was donated by the Lecouffe-Wasca family. It includes a tabernacle, a monstrance throne, and choir stalls made of Danish oak dating from the 18th century.
The pulpit
Dating from the 18th century and listed as a historic monument, it is made of carved wood. It shows strong similarities with the pulpit of Saint Denis Church in Saint-Omer. It features Saint Luke, Saint Mark, a Christ holding a globe, Saint Matthew, and Saint John on the door.
The altars
On the left, a modern altar replaced the former altar of the Virgin in 1920, as it was in danger of collapse. It was donated as a thanksgiving offering following the First World War.
On the right, the former polychrome altar of Saint Martin is adorned with a painting depicting the martyrdom of Saint Blaise. Dating from the early 18th century, it features a statue of Saint Martin, the patron saint of the parish.
The organ
“The organ originally comes from the Church of Saint Margaret in Saint-Omer. Built around 1780, it was sold in 1792 to a man named Bernout. Its reinstallation in Audruicq Church in 1793 is attributed to Jean-François Guilmant II of Saint-Omer. It was most likely originally a single-manual instrument. Various modifications were carried out in 1861, and in 1913 it was enhanced with 270 new pipes made of zinc, spotted metal, and fir wood.
After falling into disuse, the organ was restored in 1992. Now in perfect working order, it currently has two manuals, a pedalboard, and 18 stops. A polychrome statue of Saint Margaret stands on the central turret.
A bit of history
Audruicq was probably occupied during the Roman period under the name Aldrovicum. Baudouin II, son of the Count of Guînes (Arnould the Great), is considered the founder of the town, which he is said to have established in 1175. Knighted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Baudouin II was particularly fond of Audruicq, where he enjoyed gathering with his court. He turned the town into a stronghold, surrounding it with double moats, and had a castle built as well as a chapel dedicated to Saint Nicholas.
According to a document dating from 1150, the church stood on what is now the main square, extending over the site where the bandstand once stood. It was enlarged at the end of the 13th century. This church was dedicated to Saint Blaise, the patron saint of stonemasons. A plan from 1550 shows it at the centre of the town, featuring a massive, fortified tower. It appears to have disappeared in the 17th century.
The reconstruction of the present church, on the site of the first chapel built in 1150, began in 1696. The spire was erected in 1703, and the octagonal turret was added in 1772. The church was dedicated to Saint Martin, although the reason for this change is unknown. The building was not destroyed during the French Revolution, but was used for the production of saltpetre. In 2010, the church tower was restored by the municipality.
Opening hours
Monday: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Tuesday: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Wednesday: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Thursday: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Friday: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Saturday: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Religious services:
Sunday: 11:00 am