Bienne-lez-Happart / Allporto/ Altoporto / Bevena / Biène / Hauport

Baptismal font listed and illustrated in BALaT KIK-IRPA [https://balat.kikirpa.be/object/10063416] [accessed 4 March 2026]: "fonts baptismaux [...] gothique [...] pierre calcaire carbonifère [...] Date: 1533 - 1533 [...] hauteur: 112 cm".
A communication to BSI from Pol Herman (e-mail of 27 February 2026) informs: "Bienne-lez-Happart, église Saint-Rémy. The name is given to differentiate from the villages of Biesme and Biesme-sous-Thuin. 779: Allporto, 844 : Altoporto, Hauport, 868 : Bevena. 779: A charter of Lothair I mentions Altoporto in pagus Laumensis. 844: Emperor Lothair confirms his rights to Altoporto in pagus Hainoensis. In 868, this village appears among the possessions of Lobbes Abbey. 1174: In a document from emperor Frederick concerning a dispute between Haumont Abbey and the chapter of the Collegiate Church of Our Lady of Aachen, the church of Altoporto is mentioned. A document from 1244 indicates that the lordship of this territory belongs to Gillon Happart de Bienne, a vassal of the Count of Hainaut. A few decades later, the "de Barbençon" family succeeded the "de Happart" family as lords of the village. The current castle farm, located near the church, is built on the remains of the medieval lord's castle. Probably, a simple castle chapel served as the "eigenkirche". The church is first mentioned in 1311 when it was established as an independent parish. Lord Michel de Barbençon was its promoter. He paid off the canons of Lobbes for the price of a hen each year. In the 16th century, a sanctuary in the Gothic style was built. The bell tower of the old Romanesque church was retained. From then on, the building would continously suffer from the instability of its foundations. In 1613, to reinforce the old, weakened bell tower a building was constructed against it, that served as the alderman's chamber. In 1774, following a lightning strike, the tower collapsed. 1777: a new tower was built. 1872: the church was in ruins, demolition of the tower. 1878: a new tower was built. Restoration of the church. 1922: The church is in a state of disrepair. 1931: A fire reduces the building to its walls and tower. Restoration completed in 1934. 1958: The tower has deteriorated, with bricks continually falling down. 2004: The church is closed to the public due to the instability of the tower. 2010: The spire of the bell tower is blown away by a storm. 2014: Partial dismantling of the tower for safety reasons. Today, the church is in a state of abandonment. Baptismal records from 1634 onwards. Limestone, octagonal, Hainaut-type baptismal font with year inscribed : 1533. Probably the date of the building of the gothic church. https://balat.kikirpa.be/object/10063416"