Church of Saint-Firmin

The church Saint-Firmin was built from local limestone and sandstone. Originally, it is a Romanesque church that has undergone numerous changes. Especially in the 19th century, when two bays were added to the nave and the choir was moved back just as much.

The origin of this church is quite unclear. It was probably a simple chapel of the parish of Sclayn, dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. Only in the 19th century was the title Saint-Firmin made official. The tower is 15.10 m high. Its original defensive function is evidenced by the arrow slits. In shape and function, it closely resembles the towers of Seilles and Sclayn.
The interior of the church has undergone transformations that have significantly changed its appearance. The semi-circular arches that formed the Romanesque nave were replaced by columns in the 19th century. The side aisles were drastically altered in the 18th century. The Romanesque church probably had a flat choir, which was demolished in the 19th century and partially rebuilt. During the rebuilding of the choir, the Romanesque bays were preserved identically, with only a few older stones being replaced. As for the liturgical furnishings, three Neoclassical altars and a 19th-century pulpit were added during the expansion of the nave. This pulpit replaced the 18th-century carved wooden panels depicting Mary, John the Baptist, and Christ. These panels were incorporated into the contemporary altar in 1963.
In the 20th century, another new renovation campaign began, restoring the original layout of the Romanesque arches. The folk altar was moved forward and oriented towards the congregation. Furthermore, a plaster Christ was hung in the choir, a font made of hard stone by the renowned sculptor Jean Willame was installed, the polychromy of some statues was repainted, the stained glass windows were restored, and the choir windows were painted by Louis-Marie Londot, a well-known Namur painter.
In the southern aisle, there is a gravestone in Renaissance style. This belongs to Jean de Namur, owner of the cense de Dhuy, an illegitimate son of the Count of Namur, who died in 1569.

Next to the church is an old cemetery with a beautiful collection of gravestones, chapels, and wrought iron crosses.

In the church square stands the presumed former rectory, also used as a library and a small school.

Jan Rymenams