Church of St Elizabeth

From a simple chapel to a parishBefore becoming a church, Saint-Elizabeth was a chapel located in an old mansion. This mansion was donated in 1345 by Isabeau of Antoing, the widow of Gérard de Werchin, to be dedicated to her patron saint. The current church was only built in 1516 and became an important parish in the life of Mons.The evolution and style of the buildingThe building you see today has undergone many changes, mainly due to a fire that broke out during the celebration of the Annunciation in 1714. The fire is said to have been caused by mishandling a rocket meant to symbolize the Holy Spirit! The renowned architect from Mons, C.-J. de Bettignies, oversaw the restoration work and designed the bell tower, completed in 1720. The interior is therefore a combination of Gothic elements from before the fire (the pillars, the ribs, and one façade of the Gothic church) and more recent Baroque elements (the upper part of the nave and the choir).Not to be missedDid you know that the reliquary and the lances of Saint George are displayed in Saint-Elizabeth Church? These treasures are used each year during the traditional Doudou festival! Don’t miss the organ from 1778, as well as the five neo-Gothic altars and retables, which uniquely have preserved their original polychromy.