Church of Saint-Martin
The Church of Saint-Martin of Clarques was built from the chalk stone native to the region at the end of the XVIIe century. Facing a slate pinnacle surmounting its gable west, it has a set of three quadrangles joined respectively forming the nave, the choir and the sacristy. The church has rich furniture, mainly from the eighteenth century, and some classified objects taken from neighbouring Abbey of St-Augustin.
About this building
The Saint-Martin church is a building of modest dimensions that borders the pretty Rietz square of Clarques in the Pas-de-Calais. It was probably built on the foundations of an original t church that was erected around 500AD and destroyed during the siege and the destruction of Thérouanne in 1553.
As a witness of the rich history of Morinie, this church, rebuilt in the late seventeenth century is built of chalk stone, native to the region. It’s very simple plan presents a set of three quadrilaterals joined respectively forming the nave, the choir and the sacristy. The flat choir is higher and narrower than the nave. Covered with a slate pinnacle surmounting its gable west, it has four bays lit by eight arched bays. Although its area was doubled in 1856, the nave is a single architectural ensemble. The only small differences between the old construction and the nineteenth century construction are at the level of the brick basement replacing the old, which was sandstone rubble and that of the lintel of the bays.
The church has a rich furniture, mainly from the eighteenth century, and some classified objects, taken from the neighbouring old Abbey of St-Augustin. They are two statues of worshiping angels, a high altar and tabernacle, a "mirror altarpiece" and a pulpit to preach. The removal of wall paneling and wall plastering during recent restorations has resulted in the discovery of frescoes, including one representing Christ.
