The parish of Oizy Province of Luxembourg - Belgium
Situated in the heart of the Belgian Ardennes, in the province of Luxembourg, the parish of Oizy has an ancient religious history that is deeply linked to the rural life of the region. For several centuries, it was an important spiritual centre for the surrounding villages and hamlets.
An old parish with a large territory
Since the Middle Ages, Oizy has established itself as an important mother parish on which many towns depended. Its territory included Baillamont, Waillamont, Aisiesthe Achy house, The mills are known as Rouillaumoulin, Royaumoulin and Ruaumoulin.
In the XVIᵉ century, faced with the remoteness of the hamlets and the increase in population, several parish reorganisations are in place. Visit 1586, Gros-Fays, with Six-Planes and Cornimont, and Chairière, These were detached from the parish of Oizy to become independent entities. Other chapels were also created, notably at Petit-Fays and Monceau, making it easier for residents to worship.
Archives and religious organisation
The parish archives of Oizy contain important documents in Latin relating to the’erection of chapels and to the creation of new parishes at the end of the XVIᵉ century. These texts bear witness to the major administrative and spiritual role played by Oizy in the region.
Over the centuries, many parish priests and vicars succeeded one another at the head of the parish. Some ministered for long periods, making a deep impression on the local community through their pastoral commitment. They include, Jean Collart, who was parish priest from 1685 to 1738, administered the parish for more than fifty years and was buried in the church in Oizy.
The parish church
The church in Oizy is the historic and spiritual heart of the village. It was enriched in 1703 a chair of truth This remarkable building, commissioned under the pastorate of Philippe de Bouillon, illustrates the importance attached to preaching and religious teaching. The building, which has been maintained and modified over the years, remains a key part of the local heritage.
From the XIXᵉ century to the present day
In the XIXᵉ and XXᵉ centuries, the parish continued to play an essential role in the religious and social life of Oizy. The serving priests, often active in several neighbouring villages, accompanied the inhabitants through the major changes in rural society.
Although the permanent presence of a parish priest has disappeared, the parish retains all its character. symbolic and historical importance, through its church, its chapels and the village's collective memory.
A living heritage
The parish of Oizy remains a precious witness to the religious history of the region. province of Luxembourg. Its heritage, its archives and the memories of the generations that have shaped it tell the story of an Ardennes region marked by faith, solidarity and attachment to its traditions.
List of parish priests since XVIe century to the 20e
XVIIᵉ century
1581 - 1592 : Jean Hustinay is the parish priest.
1597 : Darius Dave is mentioned as the parish priest.
1602 - 1620 : Jean de Villy is responsible for parish ministry.
1620 - 1646 : Godefroid Lambin, died on 31 March 1620.
1646 - 1652 : Adam d'Ardenne, Doctor of Theology. During the wars, he retired to Héron (Liège), where he performed vicarial duties.
1652 - 1670 : Guillaume Lupi, who was later appointed parish priest of Saint-Clément in Liège.
1670 - 1684 : Jacques Fabius, He was absent from the parish during the war.
XVIIIᵉ century
1685 - 1738 :
Pierre Gillard, from Gedinne.
1685 - 1738 : Jean Collart, The first vicar of Oizy in 1684, he was appointed parish priest by papal bull in January 1685. A native of Maissin, he died on 23 February 1738 at the age of 83, after 57 years of priesthood and 53 years of ministry in Oizy. A priest highly esteemed for his pastoral zeal, he was buried in the church, between the two small altars. (Source: burial record)
1738 - 1747 : Jean Bourgerie, a native of Paliseul. He signed his first death certificate on 3 April 1737 as curate of Oizy. He died on 20 February 1748.
1748 - 1763 : Pierre Louveigné, de Soiron, parish priest of Oizy until his death in 1763.
1763 - 1791 : François Joseph Favaige, Born in La Vieille Salm, he was the son of Jean Salomon Favaige and Anne Balthus. He was baptised on 17 May 1727, ordained a priest on 27 May 1752 and appointed parish priest of Oizy by the abbot and prince of Stavelot, Dom Alexandre Delmotte. He died in Oizy on 26 December 1791.
XIXᵉ century
1792 : Nicolas Léguÿ, priest serving at Oizy from 6 June 1792.
1792 - 1807 : Jean-Baptiste André, a native of Maissin. He celebrated the first baptism on 16 July 1792 and died in Oizy on 4 November 1807.
1807 - 1813 : François Delvaux, parish priest.
1813 - 1814 : C. J. Petit, parish priest of Bièvre, provisional administrator.
1815 - 1816 Jean-Baptiste Magonet, Magonet was born in Petit-Fays on 13 August 1766, the son of Jean-Joseph Magonet and Marie-Joseph Hubert. He died in Oizy on 28 April 1816.
1816 - 1827 : Dom Martin, a monk from the abbey of Laval-Dieu, who died in Bouillon in 1827.
1828 - 1831 : Lambert Lenfant, Born in Tintigny, he was formerly curate at Monceau. A priest of great apostolic zeal, he was then parish priest of Villers-le-Gambon, Gesves and Baronville. He died in retirement in Namur on 20 November 1883.
1831 - 1859: Victor Butsin, Born on 15 September 1788 in Fays-les-Veneurs. As a priest, vicar of Mézières and then parish priest of Gesponsard, he was renowned for his energy, culture and medical knowledge. He died in the hamlet of Six-Planes on 8 January 1876, where he had promoted the construction of a chapel.
1859 - 1869 : François Nicolas Joseph François, Bertrix, initially curate at Izel. He died as parish priest of Chassepierre on 4 December 1878.
1869 - 1881 : Nicolas Joseph Rolin, Born in Ochamps on 1ᵉʳ March 1828. Arriving in Oizy on 8 March 1869 from Grapfontaine, he left the parish on 7 January 1882 for Suxarlée. (Source: Oizy population register).
1882 - 1891 : François Adnet, born in Florenville on 29 January 1852, son of Jean Nicolas and Marguerite Ponsart. He arrived from Houffalize on 11 January 1882 and left Oizy for Paliseul on 8 October 1891.
(Sources: Oizy population register and his mother's death certificate, 12 March 1886)
1893 - 1903 : Henri Joseph Lemaire, born in Houdemont on 10 November 1858. He arrived in Oizy on 1ᵉʳ February 1893, coming from Samrée, and left the parish on 9 March 1903 for Rulles (Luxembourg).
XXᵉ century
1903 - 1911 : Camille Donis, born on 7 February 1874 in Yzier (Luxembourg). He arrived from Dinant on 7 June 1903 and left Oizy on 20 November 1911 for Mettet.
1911 - 1933 : Ernest Joseph Burton, Born in Nimbermont (Remagne) on 15 August 1875. He arrived in Oizy on 28 August 1911 and died there on 1ᵉʳ March 1933.
1933 - 1952 : Jean-Baptiste Collard, born in Opont on 28 August 1887. Arrived in Oizy on 4 April 1933, coming from My.
1952 - 2001 : Joseph Adolphe Mathieu, priest of Oizy and Baillamont. Born in Rienne on 9 February 1909, son of Joseph Adolphe and Marie Appoline Michaux. Ordained a priest in 1940, he died in Oizy on 22 February 2001 and is buried in Rienne.
Sources: Oizy Son Histoirec-ses Familles † Jean and Léopold Quewet page 256
