Industrial · Churches

Chapelle du collège Saint-Paul de Lille

Lille

La chapelle Saint-Joseph du collège Saint-Paul is located rue Colson in the Vauban district of Lille, inside the Collège Saint-Paul. Built by the Jesuits, it is associated with the history of the school and with the Jesuit presence in the city. The chapel was built in 1876 by architect Auguste Mourcou, according to historical sources, and was later destroyed.

The building gained notoriety in the late 2010s when demolition was threatened by the federation of engineering schools of the Université catholique de Lille, which included HEI, ISA Lille - Junia, and ISEN. Junia, formerly Yncrea, was the last owner mentioned in the available facts. The Ministry of Culture refused to register the chapel as a historical monument after protests from the association Urgences Patrimoine and architect Étienne Poncelet. Poncelet described the chapel as being in good condition, a unique architectural example, and a historical testimony of the Jesuits’ presence in Lille.

Map showing the location of Chapelle Saint-Joseph in Lille
Location of Chapelle Saint-Joseph in Lille

Nearby Objects

The Chapelle Saint-Joseph at College Saint-Paul

The Chapelle Saint-Joseph of the College Saint-Paul is located on Rue Colson in the Vauban district of Lille, inside the College Saint-Paul. It was built by the Jesuits and later belonged to Junia, formerly Yncrea, an engineering school of the Institut catholique de Lille. In the late 2010s, the chapel became the focus of public debate when demolition was threatened by the federation of engineering schools of the Universite catholique de Lille, which included HEI, ISA Lille - Junia, and ISEN.

The chapel also drew attention because the Ministry of Culture refused to register it as a historical monument. This decision came after protests from the association Urgences Patrimoine and from architect Etienne Poncelet, honorary inspector general of historical monuments. The ministry's decision was made official on a Saturday after a letter from Director General of Heritage Philippe Barbat leaked.

Opponents of demolition presented the chapel as being in good condition and as a unique architectural example. Etienne Poncelet also described it as a conservatory of know-how and a historical testimony to the Jesuits' presence in Lille.

History of the Chapel

The chapel of the college Saint-Paul de Lille was built in 1876 by architect Auguste Mourcou. According to the available historical record, the chapel was later destroyed. No further details are provided here about its design, use, or the circumstances of its destruction.