Memorials Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church Glaireuse

A plaque of thanks for Our Lady hangs in the portal of the church.

Our Lady of Grace,
Thanks for protecting
Glaireuse during the war 1940 - 1945.

At the back of the church, under the triptych, is a memory of Pastor Jules BRAHY.

Jules Brahy was pastor in Glaireuse from 1906 to 1916.
On August 22, 1914, a French and German corps met in this region in the plain and the forest. There was heavy fighting in the "Battle of Anloy" and eventually the French withdrew to Fays-les-Veneurs and Paliseul.

That morning at 7:15 am when the priest rang the bells for morning mass, he was stopped in the sacristy by the Germans and taken as a "spy".
In Anloy he witnessed the fierce battle and the burning of the village. He was exposed to bullets from the French, his guard was shot at his feet.
At 8 p.m., an officer ordered him to be tied to a tree in the heathlands of Anloy. He was taunted, humiliated and maltreated there.
He came before a tribunal in Jéhonville, fortunately the general believed in his innocence during his trial and he was able to return to Glaireuse.
During that terrible agony, he promised to build a cave for Our Lady of Lourdes if he survived the horror.
After the war he was a pastor in Ochamps and built a Lourdes cave there.

At the back of the church is a triptych for the First World War.

Left:
Palm branch in laurel wreath with below:
"To the victims"
DOURTE Felicien - died in captivity
BORCY Nephtali - civilian burned alive

Middle: relief with the text below:
"The village of Glaireuse
"To the heroes and martyrs of the great war 1914 - 1918"

Right: Sword with helmet
'To the soldiers
ALBERT Louis
GILLET Adelin
FERAUCHE Albert "

Do you have more information about this location? Inform us!

Source

• Text: Marie-Christine Vinck
• Photos: Marie-Christine Vinck