Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste - Tournai

The parish church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste is located in the heart of the ancient Chaufours (lime kilns) district , originally separated from the city which only included it in 1289.

In the second half of the 12th century, the "Chaufours" district of Tournai experienced such demographic growth that parishioners, too far from St. Amand's Church, began to visit the neighboring church of St. Brice . The Abbey of Saint-Amand wanted to remedy this situation by creating a new parish on the western border of its domain. However, this was opposed by the cathedral chapter of Cambrai, which owned the Saint-Brice church.

In 1193 , a decision by the Bishop of Cambrai, Jean II d'Antoing, allowed the creation of a new parish. This was given the name “ Saint-Jean ”, perhaps in recognition of Bishop Jean d'Antoing.

According to the historian Paul Rolland of the primitive church, probably only the base of the gable tower remains. In 1365 the church was equipped with a beautiful Gothic tower with a stone spire. In 1367, a violent storm hit several bell towers in the city, including that of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church. This bell tower was rebuilt in the upper masonry as it exists today. But other authors defend a different thesis, according to which the tower of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church is a remnant of a Gothic church that would have replaced the original building. But no source supports this statement.

At the end of the Ancien Régime, the church was in danger of falling into disrepair. The Abbey of Saint-Amand then decided to completely rebuild it while preserving the original tower . The current ship dates from 1780 .

The beautiful Gothic tower with its distinctive stone spire has always aroused interest. That is why it has been part of Tournai's classified real estate heritage since 1936.

The nave, consisting of five bays with cylindrical columns and semicircular arches, leads to the choir decorated with woodwork. They date from the end of the 18th century. The stylish interior consists of three apses decorated with altars and paintings.

The chancel is surrounded by beautiful regency style oak panelling, dating from the early 18th century. It is decorated with the painting of the Baptism of Christ, created by Gaspard Mignon in 1680. These decorative elements are skillfully integrated into the new Louis XVI style choir.

This eagle lectern dates from the 14th or 15th century . The copper figure stands on a globe at the top of a ringed column of the same metal, itself mounted on a base of blue stone. The eagle defeats a small upside-down dragon - now sheltered for safety reasons - in keeping with the iconographic theme of the "Evangelical Eagle" defeating Evil.

The organ case and the beautiful balustrade that goes with it come from the Saint-Quentin Church. They were purchased in 1875 by the Saint-Jean-Baptiste parish and placed on a platform made for the occasion.

Also note the confessionals and the beautiful pulpit of truth .

The Saint-Jean-Baptiste church, featured in a book entitled “ A little-known building”, can be discovered on its various pages.

Before its reconstruction in the 18th century, the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church seems to have had a chapel dedicated to Saint John the Evangelist. This is evident from a painting that is still present in the sanctuary, but especially from a touching wooden statue , with a Gothic appearance, dating from the 16th century. Today, this statue of Saint John the Evangelist stands in a niche in the nave. Saint John is depicted holding a chalice from which a snake emerges, an allusion to the poisoned cup that he is said to have drunk without hindrance.

Willem Vandenameele