The Basilica of Our Lady of Brebières, is a Roman Catholic

minor Basilica Basilicas are Catholic church buildings that have a designation, conferring special privileges, given by the Pope. Basilicas are distinguished for ceremonial purposes from other churches. The building need not be a basilica in the architectura ...

World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

and rebuilt by the original architect's son Louis Duthoit from 1927 to 1931. The Golden Virgin sculpture designed by Albert Roze sits atop the dome of the Basilica and became an object of fascination during World War I.

Pope Leo XIII Pope Leo XIII (; born Gioacchino Vincenzo Raffaele Luigi Pecci; 2March 181020July 1903) was head of the Catholic Church from 20 February 1878 until his death in July 1903. He had the fourth-longest reign of any pope, behind those of Peter the Ap ...

granted a decree of canonical coronation to the venerated image in 19 June 1901. Pious legends among soldiers at the time claimed a supernatural prophecy that when a German missile hits the prominent Marian statue above the church, the

First World War World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

would finally end.

History

The Basilica started out as a parish church. In the

11th century The 11th century is the period from 1001 (represented by the Roman numerals MI) through 1100 (MC) in accordance with the Julian calendar, and the 1st century of the 2nd millennium. In the history of Europe, this period is considered the early ...

many Catholics made pilgrimages to the parish church on the site to see a statue called "Our Lady of the Ewes" according to legend it had been found by a shepherd in the Middle Ages. Catholics passed around rumors of miracles related to the statue. In 1834 Pope Gregory XVI noticed the growth of the statue's legend and built a larger church at the location. Throughout the years grander churches were built and finally the Basilica of Our Lady of Brebières. A new large statue of Marian Art entitled ''The Golden Virgin'' was attached to the dome. Construction on the Basilica began in 1885 and lasted until 1897. It was constructed with stone and red brick: the bell tower rises more than . In 1901

consecrated Sacred describes something that is dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity; is considered worthy of spiritual respect or devotion; or inspires awe or reverence among believers. The property is often ascribed to objects (a ...

the church and, seeing the Golden Virgin, he called the Basilica the "Lourdes of the North". The sculpture was fastened to the

bell tower A bell tower is a tower that contains one or more bells, or that is designed to hold bells even if it has none. Such a tower commonly serves as part of a Christian church, and will contain church bells, but there are also many secular bell to ...

First world war

The Golden Virgin sculpture which stood on the dome of the Basilica was damaged During Battle of Albert 1914. In 1914 the French and Germans staged their troops in

Albert, France Albert () is a commune in the Somme department in Hauts-de-France in northern France. It is located about halfway between Amiens and Bapaume. History Albert was founded as a Roman outpost, in about 54 BC. After being known by various f ...

and the German troops suspected that the French may use the bell tower as an

observation post An observation post (commonly abbreviated OP), temporary or fixed, is a position from which soldiers can watch enemy movements, to warn of approaching soldiers (such as in trench warfare), or to direct fire. In strict military terminology, an ...

to direct military maneuvers, so beginning in October 1914 they shelled the dome. By 7 January 1915 the dome was destroyed and by 21 January 1915 the base of The Golden Virgin was hit and the statue was knocked sideways past 90 degrees. The

Madonna and Child In Christian art, a Madonna () is a religious depiction of the Blessed Virgin Mary in a singular form or sometimes accompanied by the Child Jesus. These images are central icons for both the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches. The word ...

statue above the dome was damaged, separated, recast and placed upon the newly reconstructed basilica.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Basilica of Our Lady of Brebieres Buildings and structures completed in 1897 19th-century Roman Catholic church buildings in France Monuments historiques of Somme (department) Basilica churches in France

History

First world war

See also

References