On the path of pilgrims
The small village of Saint-Jacques (the present town of Three Bridges) is on the natural path that pilgrims en route to San Jacques de Compostela.
The pilgrims, after stopping at Stavelot, to venerate the remains of Saint Remacle, were heading along the right bank of the Amel, north of Parfondruy, through the "Cross the nails' to Three Bridges, where two streams flow into the Amel.
After the passage of Amel, a path abrupt called Lu Voye of Sint-Djaka "up the valley to the place now called" Mont Saint-Jacques. " There was a small chapel. Then the pilgrims continued their journey to Lierneux then to La Roche. Then it was straight line to St. Hubert by passing through "Converserie" pilgrimage route towards the south and then to Spain but also to Rome and the Holy Land.
Church and origin
The earliest evidence encountered at the site of the ancient church of Saint-Jacques are those of a small Christian building in very simple plan, consisting of a nave and a small choir.
This shrine was a small "cella" which dates back the 7th century.
The remains of the cella were updated during the excavations at the site of the church in 1961.
Towards 1130, the church Fosse is on the list of those who pay a fee to the church of Stavelot. The church of Saint-Jacques is already alive and well. Many times it is cited in the records of the Principality of Stavelot Malmedy. This church was built on the remains of the "cella" of the 7th century. In 1843, the bishop of Liege said that "the church is too large and too old." Are then undertaken any a series of refurbishment work, and work will actually finish in 1900 with the replacement of the dome with a slate roof, with 4 equal sections.
The nights of 26 December 1944 to January 8, 1945, the church, which is an observatory of the valley, receives many bombs. The damage will be significant.
It was decided in 1961 to demolish the ruins of the church in 1862 to erect the same location, a new church. Plans were drawn up by architect Geenen Spa. It is a company that will perform the Stavelot work.
The building was demolished in 1961 consisting of a nave, a large choir ending in a recent vestry to the west and preceded by a transept and a porch tower topped by a steeple. The soul of this church came from the beautiful color of stone it was made (local sandstone) and the magnificent ancient oaks that surrounded it.
In 1962, October 28, the first stone was laid ... The church will be dedicated Dec. 20, 1964.
The current church of Saint-Jacques draws by its modernity, its building ... A simple but welcoming old oak always watch over her. He traveled through time ...
Sources:
Text H. Stembert, Saint-Jacques
Illustrations from: J. Mertens and F. Bourgeois, The church of Saint-Jacques-on-Fosse Salm, extracted from the newsletter of the Society for Art and History, Liege, 1965
1 and 2: localization of Saint-Jacques
3: church 1831
4: the church in 1961
5: the church in 1965
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