Pas-en-Artois : Saint-Martin Church

The building originates in a priory built shortly after the visit of Saint Martin in the 4th century. The church, located near the kilian, is both an abbey church and a parish church. The reconstruction of the Saint-Martin church took place in the second half of the 18th century, after it was affected by a flood. Part of the priory buildings disappeared in the early 19th century, gradually replaced by new structures. The bell tower had been rebuilt for the first time in 1532 following a fire. It collapsed following the flood of 1766 and was rebuilt in 1773, as indicated by the date inscribed on the key above the door. This key is a re -use of the 16th century and also bears the date of the first reconstruction. To prevent new damage in the event of a flood, the new construction was raised on a sandstone base, with some brick seats. The nave and the choir were rebuilt before the bell tower, in 1761, also in height. The interior was redecorated in the second half of the 19th century. Between 1858 and 1859, important restoration works as well as the repair of a vault was carried out by François Detroye, a capper of Lille, on plans of the architect Alcide Carré. In 1913, the soil of the central aisle was redone with small cabochons in porcelain stoneware. The stained glass windows were created by Félix Courmont, master-glassmaker in Arras, between 1868 and 1870, in a style reminiscent of the 13th century.