THE PARISH CHURCH OF LOURDES

The Parish Church of Saint Peter, Lourdes

The Parish Church of Saint Peter where Bernadette was baptised on 9 January 1844 does not exist anymore. Already in a state of disrepair, it was seriously damaged by fire and the remaining ruins were demolished in the year 1905. Where the old Parish Church of Saint Peter stood is now a large square, known as the Peyramale Square or Place Peyramale, which is dominated by a huge war memorial to commemorate the residents of Lourdes who perished during the two World Wars. Dating from the year 1927, this colossal monument is located in front of the Tourist Office of Lourdes.

The War Memorial at the Peyramale Square

At the end of a narrow street opposite the Peyramale Square is the new Parish Church, the Sacre Coeur (Sacred Heart) Parish Church, which is a reminder of the old Parish Church of Saint Peter. The construction of the new Parish Church commenced on 28 July 1875. The new Parish Church was inaugurated on 8 September 1903 by Monsignor Francois-Xavier Schoepfer, the Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes. The facade of the Church is dominated by a  65 meter high Pyrenean stone bell tower which was completed in the year 1936. The statue of Bernadette stands under the bell tower. There is a bronze statue of Father Peyramale in front of the Church. Father Peyramale was the Parish Priest of Lourdes from December 1854 until his death on 8 September 1877.

The Parish Church of the Sacred Heart of Lourdes

                                   
The interior of the church is divided into three naves. To the left of the entrance is the baptismal font where Bernadette was baptised on her parents' first wedding annversary. There is a painting which depicts this event on the wall of the Church. The font was moved to the new Parish Church of the Sacred Heart from the old Parish Church of Saint Peter. The tomb of Father Peyramale lies in the crypt. The Parish Church is a perfect place for prayers and reflection. I used to go there in the mornings and sat peacefully in this Church praying, reflecting while admiring its magnificent Romanesque Revival architecture.

The Interior of the Church

A Place of Peace

The Holy Family

Jesus & Mary

Jesus & St. Anthony of Padua

Located at Place L'Eglise, 65100 Lourdes, France, the Parish Church of the Sacred Heart was built in the cultural, economic and commercial center of Lourdes. Within a radius of 600-700 metres from the Church are the post office and Saint Bernadette Hospital. Situated in the heart of the town and within walking distance from the Church is the Marcadal Square or the Place Marcadal where the banks (Courtois Bank, Michel Inchauspe-Bami Bank,  & Caisse d'Epargne Lourdes), market, tourism office, conference centre and municipality can be found.

You may also like to read LOURDES: THE ROSARY BASILICA, BASILICA OF SAINT PIUS X, THE BASILICA OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, THE CHURCH OF SAINT BERNADETTE. To view the content page of this blog, please click here.


References:
1.  Lourdes. Doucet Publications.
2.  Lourdes & Bernadette. Publisher "il Calamo".