Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Calais

The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus stands as one of Calais' most impressive and spacious religious edifices. This neo-Gothic church spans an impressive 70 meters in length and 30 meters in width, making it one of the largest churches in the region. Its grand facade captures attention with intricate sculptures of saints and angels, crowned by a rose window above the main portal, and is anchored by a towering bell tower.

Built between 1867 and 1892, the church’s construction was a multi-phase project initiated by J. Gheerbrant, chaplain of the Sacred Heart convent, and later supported by Saint-Pierre-lès-Calais' municipal council. Although halted briefly due to financial limitations, the project resumed and was completed with the addition of the bell tower under the guidance of parish priest Louis Debras.

Inside, the church dazzles with neo-Gothic architectural flourishes, including stained glass windows, paintings, and an exquisite main altar crafted from white and black marble. Notably, the church houses a historic neo-Gothic organ crafted by F.H. Browne & Sons, an esteemed Canterbury organ builder, and later expanded in 1925 by the Sequies factor of Lille. The organ's oak sideboard and distinctive pipes enhance the sacred ambiance of the space.

Consecrated on June 16, 1878, by Mgr Jean-Baptiste-Joseph Lequette, the church’s history is further enriched by a commemorative plaque celebrating the April 1909 papal privilege granted by Pope Pius X. Today, though it bears some marks of water damage, the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus remains open to the public and free to visit, offering a unique experience of Calais’ architectural and religious heritage.