Saint-Maurice church

The church of Saint-Maurice definitely had a chance of becoming the cathedral of Lille. Its construction began in the 14th century and was enlarged over the centuries to accommodate the arrival of new worshippers as the city grew. During the 19th century it was renovated for a good 50 years taking it’s current aspect. Yet, the addition of features such as sacristies, beautiful stained glass windows, and high-quality furnishings, were to no avail when it came to creating the diocese of Lille. It was the Basilica of Notre Dame de la Treille that was chosen to be elevated to the rank of Cathedral. Nevertheless, the Saint-Maurice Church remains a fine example of what is called "Halles churches," with a lightweight structure adapted to the marshy soils of Flanders. It has been classified as a historical monument since 1840 and is well worth a visit.