Origin and history
The church of the Holy Spirit of the Guibertes, located in the Monêtier-les-Bains in the Hautes-Alpes, finds its origins in the early sixteenth century with a chapel branch built in 1510 under the supervision of the local parish. The inhabitants, called Guibertins, collectively financed Masses in this place of worship, which burned three times (1665, 1741, 1770). The major reconstruction between 1707 and 1712, after the fire of 1665, gave rise to the present building, marked by its dome and bell tower inspired by the collegiate church of Briançon. The church was erected as an independent parish in 1836, before losing this status around 1925 with the departure of the last parish priest.
In the 18th century, the church received generous donations from emigrants, including the booksellers of Turin and Milan, who contributed to its beautification. Its composite architecture reflects three distinct phases: the central square (old 16th century chapel), the nave enlarged to the west, and the flat-side choir backed by the cure. The bell tower, with four floors pierced by sixteen bays, is surmounted by an imperial dome and a lantern, replica of Briançon's. The monumental façade, dated 1847, has a triangular pediment and an empty niche whose statue was transferred to the local sacred art museum.
Classified as a Historic Monument in 1988, the church houses exceptional baroque furniture, including three cembro pine altars carved (1651 for the high altar), statues of saints (in particular Saint Anthony, invoked against diseases), and a stand reserved for penitents, active from 1644 to the 1920s. The white glass windows, typical of baroque, illuminate renovated paintings (XXI century), such as those depicting the Virgin or Saint Anthony. Despite its rich heritage, the church now suffers from decrepit interior walls, waiting for restoration since the 2010s, blocked by administrative and legal constraints.
The Brotherhood of Penitents, founded in 1644, played a central role in the religious and funeral life of the hamlet until the early 20th century. Its members, elected every two years (rector, treasurer), organized processions and assistance to the deceased. Their rostrum, called the plans, preserves baskets, procession sticks and lanterns. The church also illustrates the local craftsmanship, with a larch pulpit (abundant wood in the valley) and granite baptismal fonts (1707), characteristic of the region.
Saint Anthony of Egypt, patron saint of the church alongside the Holy Spirit, is honored there for his protection against diseases (pest, ergotism). His relics, transferred to Dauphine in the 11th century, inspired a strong local devotion, symbolized by its attributes (skin, tau, book). The building, now owned by the town hall, remains a major testimony of the Alpine baroque and religious history of the Hautes-Alpes, although its restoration is patinated because of legal and financial complexities.
Announcements
Please log in to post a review