SAINT DENYS CHURCH

GRAND’AXHE

1870-2022

Preliminary remarks

The parish of Saint-Denys in Grand’Axhe is celebrating the 150th anniversary of its present church.

Should not this event be marked by a special exhibition in the very heart of an exceptional neogothic whole : our church ?

Any work of art is sure to please anyone who appreciates beauty. In the hearts of believers, it will reveal the inspiration of artists who have combined faith and art, and bring back to parishioners of all generations the spiritual testament of the founder : Father E. Gillis.

We invite you to join us on this journey……

The Parish Animation team.

Father Emile Gillis

Emile Gillis was born in Niel-Gingelom on August 4th, 1834. Educated in the Chistian faith from an early age, he prepared for the priesthood. At the seminary in 1859, Lord Montpellier, bishop of Liège, noticed him and appointed him as a teacher at the brand-new Collège Saint-Louis in Waremme, then a Catholic middle school. On August 22nd,1860, he was ordained a priest.

On May 1st, 1862, he left his heavy teaching load. He became then coadjutor to Father Constant from Hollogne-sur-Geer, with residence in Grand’Axhe.
From 1867 to 1869, he was administrator of Hollogne and Grand’Axhe. In 1869, this commune was established as a chapel, with a vicar’s salary, until 1877. It was on this date that, at the instigation of Father Gillis, the church was definitevely separated from Hollogne and set up as an auxiliary church.

Meanwhile, in 1870, Vicar Gillis had a new church built. The neogothic building is richly furnished and decorated. It was on the initiative and the patronage of Father Gillis, and the work of the architect Lambert BLANDOT (from Huy). Mr Blandot was a specialist in school architecture in the second half of the 19th century. On June 19th, 1872, Lord de Montpellier consecrated the new church.

In 1879, he and the priest of Hollogne founded the Catholic school, which he continued to run.

On April 22nd, 1910, he celebrated his 50 years as a priest. Numerous events were organized to celebrate the jubilee in style.

A mass was celebrated at the church ;

A party at the Catholic school, where the eldest pupil, Camille COEME, the future municipal secretary, read a speech on the occasion, and Marie Pirson performed a « pasquèye » (satirical song) praising the virtues of the kind and worthy Pastor.

The following month, in the name of the ecclesiastical conference, the dean Materne paid tribute to the parish priest of Grand’Axhe and read out a letter of congratulations from Lord RUTTEN, Bishop of Liège.

On February 24th, 1911, the parish priest fell ill. He died on the afternoon of March 5th, a few months before realizing his most cherished dream : to celebrate 50 years of pastorate in Grand’Axhe.

The funeral took place on March 8th, in front of a large crowd. Expressions of sympathy poured in from all over the diocese, underclining Emile Gillis’ goodness and piety.

For 49 years, « the good parish priest of Grand’Axhe » devoted himself, body and soul, to his parishioners, his school and his church.

Photo 1 : Tympanum of Saint Denys

GRAND’AXHE

Archdeacony : Hesbaye

Deanery : Saint-Trond ; Waremme (in 1866)

Parish : founded in 1497

Auxiliary chapel of Hollogne-sur-Geer (until 1802)

Established as a secondary church on December 28th, 1877.

Patron saint : Saint Denys

CHURCH OF SAINT DENYS (GRAND’AXHE)

Built in 1870-1872 by the architect Jean-Lambert BLANDOT-GRAYET, from Huy, with the contractors Yans and Bricteux, this church would be just another example of the neogothic architecture in vogue at the time. But the exceptionally rich interior furnishings and decorations created by renowned artists of the time and the determination of parish priest Emile Gillis, its patron and initiator make the difference. This astonishing work as a whole, whose homogeneity is comparable in the province only in the churches of Retinne and especially Pepinster, illustrates in a particularly complete way the religious feeling of the second half of the 19th century and, as such, deserves to be preserved intact. A three-aisled nave with a polygonal apse, six bays long if the sacristies and annexes enclosing the square tower are counted, the latter being of the same structure and aligned with the aisles in brick and stone.

ARCHITECTURE

A highly significant example of a XIXth century building inspired by the Gothic period in its architecture, furnishings and decor. It is one of the few complete works as a whole in the region. Built in brick and stone, it features a tower on the façade, followed by a four-bay main nave opening onto a one-bay choir with a semi-hexagonal apse. The six-bay side aisles flank the tower and choir, forming chapels and annexes. Polygonal turrets adjoin the side aisles.

The tower has an arched doorway topped by a floriated gable and two lancet windows.

Double chamfered stone stringcourse ; delimiting the upper part of the tower, which ends in gables covered with eaves open by pointed-arched bays with infills and sound absorbers.

Inside, the nave is supported by colums with smooth, stuccoed shafts and hooked capitals that support the pointed arches opening onto the side aisles. A ribbed vault, the formets of which fall on three paired columns which hooked capitals, engaged and supported by bases with cherubs’heads. On the outside, the roof has a gently sloping gable roof.

The furniture is by the artists Hoeken and Jansen from Saint-Trond, the stained glass windows by Dobbelaer from Bruges.

The walls are entirely covered with marouflaged paintings by Devaux of Liège and Franz Damien from Ans depicting scenes from the life of Christ, the mysteries of the rosery, the lives of saints (Eleuthère, Valère, Materne), miracles (Saint Anthony, Saint Claire, ...), and scenes of the transfer of the relics of Saint Evergisle who died in Termogne.

Grille of the baptismal font chapel by Nicolas Danthinne from Braives, 1874 painted cast iron.

Photo n°2 : Prayer stool

convertible into a portative confessional

by M. Hoeken and G. Jansen (workshop) from Saint-Trond.

Altar in the font chapel, by M. Hoeken and G. Jansen from Saint-Trond, predella serving as a reliquary, altarpiece with niches and central high relief : Baptism of Christ, 1874, neogothic, oak.

Photo n°3 : Way of the Cross

Way of the Cross (14 stations) by François de Vriendt, sculptor from Borgerhout, after the sations painted by Leys and Hendricks in Antwerp Cathedral, 1874 painted terracotta, framed by M. Hoeken and G. Jansen (from Saint-Trond), neogothic, painted wood, 215x120 : Simon of Cyrène helps Jesus. Véronica wipes Jesus’ face.

South side altar with altarpiece with niches containing the statue of Saint Denys from Paris surrounded by two statues of Angels, expositorium, 1874, neogothic, oak and polychrome wooden statues.

Statue by Imhoff and Schenf, from Halck near Deutz (Cologne), Our lady of Lourdes, donated by the Jadoul family in 1874 (according to chronogram), bought in Liège, polychrome terracotta, 152 cm high, and oak base, 164 cm high.

Photo n°4 : Pulpit of thruth

Pulpit of thruth : by M. Hoeken and G. Jansen, of Saint-Trond, bowl decorated with statuettes (high : 34 cm) under a canopy : Saint Jerome, Saint Gregory the Great, Saint Ambrose of Milan, Saint Augustine of Hyppona, Saint Vincent de Paul, framing four statues : the Evangelists (or Patriarchs ?) back with Christ the Good Shepherd and canopy surmounted by a turret (no longer in place), gift of Caroline Thenaers in 1872 (according to chronogram), neogothic, oak.

Baptismal font : late 18th century, marble, 102 cm high, brass cover, approx. 50 cm high.

Table : choir credenza by M. Hoeken and G. Jansen (Saint-Trond), 1874, neogothic, oak and white marble top, 74x60, 5x41.

Photo n°5 : Wall decoration

Wall decoration : ( series of panels) of the choir by Henri Dobbelaer from Bruges, depictions of the Apostles and Doctors of the Church surmounted by panels with a choir of Angels, 1874-1880, neogothic, painting on earthenware, each lower panel 171x35 and each upper panel with Angels (high 46 cm) details from left : Saint Peter, Saint Paul of Tarsus, Saint Andrew, Saint Jacques the Greater, Saint John, Saint Matthias, Saint Ambrose of Milan, Saint Augustin of Hippone, Saint Gregory the Great, Saint Jerome and above, panels with a choir of Angels, Saint Chrysotome, Saint Gregoire de Naziance, Saint Basile, Saint Athanase, Saint Philippe, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Jude Thaddaeus, Saint Thomas, Saint Mathieu, Saint Simon and above, a choir of Angels.

Pedestal (2) by M. Hoeken and G. Jansen (from Saint-Trond), 1874, neogothic, oak, 130x87x79 : one with a low relief of the Sacred Heart of Jesus appearing to Saint Marguerite-Marie Alacoque.

Sculpture : statue by M. Hoeken and G. Jansen, of Saint-Trond, Sacred Heart of Jesus, gift of Zenobe and Maria-Louis in 1874 (according to chronogram), neogothic, plaster and polychrome wood, height 170 and with base height 182.

Photo n°6 : Main altar

Main altar by M. Hoeken and G. Hansen (from Saint-trond), and tabernacle by Joseph Wilmotte, of Liège, in front of the altar with high reliefs : Sacrifice of Abel (66x47), the Last Supper : Jesus consecrates the wine (66x85), Abraham sacrifices Isaac (66x47), and 4 statues (height 37 cm) of prophets including David, expositorium with its Calvary (no longer in place), signed : M. Hoeken and G. Jansen (of Saint-trond), 1874, neogothic, oak and tabernacle by Joseph Wilmotte, of Liège,after a design by Jules Helbig, of Liège, decorated with quadrefoils : Pelican feeding its young, vexilliferous Lamb whose blood flows into a chalice, symbols of the Evangelists, brass, enamel and fantasy stones, 80x45,5.

Missel-holder : by M. Hoeken and G. Jansen (from Saint-Trond), paintings : Lamb of the Apocalypse and Pelican feeding its young, 1875, neogothic, oak and paintings on oak.

Photo n°7 : Christ on the cross

Christ on the cross : late 15th century (arms redone), Gothic, wood with traces of old polychromy, height 135 cm. This Christ comes from the former church in the cemetery.

Processional cross by Joseph Wilmotte, from Liège, pommel decorated with busts of Angels holding instruments of the Passion, ends of the cross with medallions : symbols of the Evangelists, 1870-1880, neo-Romanesque, gilded brass and enamel, height 90.

Triumphal cross : by M. Hoeken and G. Jansen, from Saint-Trond, extremities of the cross with the symbols of the Evangelists, 1874, neogothic, polychrome wood (deposited in the rood loft).

Coat of arms (above the rood loft) by M. Hoeken and G. Jansen, of Saint-Trond, coat of arms of Lord Bishop of Liège, Theodore de Montpellier, placed at the consecration of the church in 1872 (according to chronogram), polychrome terracotta.

North side altar : matching the previous one, by M. Hoeken and G. Jansen, of Saint-Trond, front with high reliefs : Nativity, Virgin and child giving the rosary to Saint Dominique de Guzman, deploration, altarpiece with niches containing the statue of the Virgin and Child surrounded by two statues of Angels, expositorium with Cricifix (height 60), 1874, completed in 1895 (two high reliefs : Nativity and Deploration), neogothic, oak and polychrome wooden statues. In the centre, Virgin and Child, handing the rosary to Saint Dominique de Guzman, 1874, 72x85,5 and on the sides, Nativity and Deploration, 1895, 72x53, statue by G. Jansen, Virgin and Child, signed G. Jansen, sculptor, polychrome wood, height 119.

Mural paintings (8) : of the eaves walls of the central nave by Franz Damien, scenes illustrating the cult of the Blessed Sacrament, 1895-1897, marouflaged canvases : to the north : Saint Claire d’Assise repelling the Saracens with a monstrance, Miracle of Avignon, Miracle of Saint Imelda, Mass of Saint Gregoire the Great, and to the south : Genuflection of the mule in front of the Blessed Sacrament carried by Saint Anthony of Padoue, Saint Hyacinth Odrowac crossing the Dniepr to meet the Tatars by walking on the water while holding a ciborium, Miracle of Faderney, Miracle of Bolsena.

Mural paintings (6) : of the aisles by Franz Damien, 1902-1905, marouflaged canvases : to the north, scenes from the life of Saint Joseph : flight into Egypt, 1905, Jesus the carpenter’s apprentice, 1905, Death of Saint Joseph, signed, 1903, and to the south, scenes from the lives of Saints : Saint Eleuthère, Saint Valère and Saint Materne, apostles of Belgium, 1902-1905, Translation of the relics of Saint Evergisle, who died in Termogne, 1902-1905, Death of Walthère de Longchamps, murdered by protestants, 1902.

Mural paintings (2) : of the side aisles by V. Devaux, from Liège, in 1888, marouflaged canvases, first bay on the north side : the mysteries of the Rosary, gift of the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary in 1884 (according to inscription) and first bay, south side, Saint Denys preaching to the Parisians.

Confessional : by M. Hoeken and G. Jansen, of Saint-Trond, 1872-1874, neogothic, oak.

Photo n°8

Monstrance-turret

Monstrance-turret (1831-1868). Gilded brass and enamel, gilded silver, height 69,5 cm. Belgian hallmarks of 1831-68, title, Janus, J.L. (silversmith : Jean Lambotte from Liège). The poly-lobed foot is decorated with enamels representing the symbols of the 4 Evangelists, the polygonal stem is marked by a knot with protruding diamond-shaped buttons. The cylindrical monstrance stands on a terrace adorned with pendentives and is part of a Gothic architectural whole work made up of shouldered tabernacles topped with pinacles, housing the statues of Saint Pierre and Saint Paul. This whole work supports a statue of the Virgin, placed in a tabernacle ending in an openwork spire topped with a cross. The decoration (enamels, cabochons, tracery, finials, architectural patterns, particularly the hooked pinnacles) belongs to the Gothic repertoire and makes this monstrance a work characteristic of the spirit of the 19th century, marked by nostalgia for the past.

Sun monstrance, medallions on the foot : reclining vexilliferous Lamb (Cross,

crown of thorns and nails, Tables of the Law), Pelican feeding its young, adoring

angels and bust of God the Father, late 17th century, silver and gilded brass,

height 61 cm.

Photo n°9 :

Virgin with rose bush,

Second half of the 16th century

Panel with 4 elements,

Restored in 2018

Carrying the Child on her left arm, the Virgin is seated against a palisade with a rose bush, forming an enclosed garden. The breakaway on the right opens onto a sketchy landscape. She is dressed in a long-sleeved gown covered by a large mantle trimmed with trimmings and marked with brittle folds (reminiscent of Gothic drapery).

Her long hair cascades down her coat, framing a smooth, thin face with downcast eyes and a sad expression. The Child, dressed in a linen dress, is leaning against his Mother, holding her chin in an affectionate gesture.

Details as the Virgin’s hair, the way the flowers are painted, the system of folds and the lack of integration between the figures and the background suggest an archaic model that is closer to the work of a painter like Shongauer.

This painting can be admired in the permanent section of the « Musée d’Art Religieux et d’Art Mosan » in the Grand Curtius in Liège.

Photo n° 10 : Appearance of Christ to two disciples on the road to Emmaüs

Painting by Englebert Fisen, acquired by Abbess Robertine Posson (according to

inscription), below : E. Fisen invenit et pinxit 1718, 90x103, gilded wood frame,

107x120. Restored in 1995.

This painting can be admired in the permanent section of the « Musée d’Art

Religieux et d’Art Mosan » au Grand Curtius in Liège.

Paintings (6) : by Franz Damien which are the designs for the murals on the

eaves walls of the central nave, 1874, canvas, 45x33,5, gilded wooden frame

57x44,5 : Saint Claire d’Assise repelling the Saracens with a monstrance, the

Miracle of Avignon, Miracle of Saint Imelda, Mass of Saint Grégoire the Great,

Genuflection of the mule in front of the Blessed Sacrament carried by Saint

Antoine de Padoue, Miracle of Bolsena.

Photo n°11 : Reliquary of Saint Denys by Joseph Lambotte, from Liège, in the form of a monstrance, Belgian hallmarks (1831-1868) and JL, silver gilded brass, 32 cm high.

Photo n°12 : Reliquary of Saint Roch

in the form of a sun monstrance,

late 19th century, gilded brass

and fancy stones, 31,5 cm high.

Photo n°13 : Reliquary of the Holy Cross probably by J.J. Martens, from Liège, in the form of a cross on a foot, medallions (symbols of the Evangelists) 1870, neogothic, brass and fancy stones, 29 cm high.

Photo n°14 : Reliquary of Saint Barbe

probably by Joseph Lambotte from Liège,

in the form of a medallion, middle of the

19th century, silver, 7,8x10.

OBJECTS OF WORSHIP

Photo n°15 : Cruets (and tray) by Joseph Dehin,

Liège, Belgian hallmarks (1831-1868) and JD,

silver gilt, 14cm high.

Photo n° 16 : Chalice, lobed foot, (Monogram of Jesus and Mary) and decoration of cherubs, belonging to the church in 1623 (according to inscription), work in Liège, gilded brass, bowl by Joseph Dehin, of Liège, hallmark : JD, middle 19th century, silver gilt, 23,4 cm high.

Photo n°17 : Chalice by Dehin of Liège,

Hallmark DD,M ; 19th century, neogothic,

gilded brass and silver bowl, 23 cm high.

Photo n°18 : Ciborium by Mathieu Schoville, acquired thanks to the parish priest G. Milot, G. Boden, Jean Sotteau and the community in 1663 (according to inscription), hallmarks from Liège : Bavaria, 1656, striche et MS, 1656, silver, 36,5 cm high.

SOURCES

Musée d’Art religieux mosan, rue Mère Dieu, 2 à 4000 Liège

Father Emile Gillis, parish priest of Grand’Axhe,

Les Cahiers waremmiens, n°7, A. Jadoul et J. Sacré

Art and History Treasures of Waremme and its region – Inventory (Grand’Axhe)

Directory of objects found in sanctuaries in Belgium, Province of Liège, Canton de Waremme, Grand’Axhe, IRPA

Edition 1995-2022

For the realization of this brochure, we would like to thank :

For the writing :

Mrs Jeanine Godbille

Mr Joseph Jamaer

For the English translation :

Mrs Bernadette Bessemans

For the Dutch translation :

Mr Benny Sterkendries

Mr Danny Vermeulen

For the organisation and setting up of the exhibition, we would like to thank :

The Fabrique council, the parish team and all those who contributed in any way to the success of the 150th anniversary celebrations.