Church of Saint-André, Lille
The Church of Saint-André was built in the 17th century as a chapel, that of the Unshod Carmelites who had recently arrived in Lille. The work started in 1701 and the architect is Thomas-Joseph Gombert. The work, interrupted by the siege of Lille and the Succession Wars of Spain, continued under the direction of the nephew of the original architect, François-Joseph Gombert.
About this building
The chapel was inaugurated in 1758 and is a remarkable example of the Jesuit style. This is an artistic movement born of the Counter-Reform, close to the baroque style and considered art as a missionary force serving the faith. When the old parish church of St. André , against the ramparts , was destroyed in 1784, the chapel became the new parish church in which such important French people as the Cardinal Lienart, General Faidherbe and Charles de Gaulle whose birthplace is nearby, were baptised.
