Treaty of Louis XV - Nassau 1766 (≈ 1766)
Agreement to build separate churches.
1768
Construction of church
Construction of church 1768 (≈ 1768)
Edited by Dodel under Stengel's supervision.
1985
Registration historical monument
Registration historical monument 1985 (≈ 1985)
Official protection of the building.
1986
Decommissioning
Decommissioning 1986 (≈ 1986)
End of religious use by decree.
1993
Inauguration Stengel Hall
Inauguration Stengel Hall 1993 (≈ 1993)
Opening as a cultural space.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
St. Lawrence Catholic Church (cad. 5 71, 72): registration by decree of 15 November 1985
Key figures
Friedrich-Joachim Stengel - Chief Architect
Designer for the Prince of Nassau.
Karl Abraham Dodel - Owner
Head of work in Lorentzen.
Louis XV - King of France
Signatory of the Treaty of 1766.
Origin and history
The St. Lawrence Church of Lorentzen, located in the Lower Rhine, was built in 1768 as part of an agreement between Louis XV and the Count of Sarrebruck to resolve conflicts related to simultaneum (sharing of the same church between Catholics and Protestants). This treaty, signed on December 15, 1766, provided for the construction of several cost-shared churches, with a choice left to Catholics to keep the old church or to opt for the new one. In Lorentzen, Catholics chose the latter, designed by the architect Friedrich-Joachim Stengel, director of the buildings of the prince of Nassau, and carried out under the supervision of the construction manager Karl Abraham Dodel. The building, of sober style, is distinguished by its rectangular nave with three spans, a polygonal choir and a curvilinear frontal gate, with sandstone frames.
The church served for Catholic worship until 1962, then only for religious holidays before being abandoned around 1970, when its furniture was sold. Decommissioned officially in 1986 by ministerial decree, it was listed as a historical monument in 1985, then transformed into a cultural hall (Salle Stengel) after work completed in 1991. Its inauguration as a versatile space took place in 1993. This monument bears witness to the religious tensions in Alsace in the eighteenth century and their resolution by dedicated constructions, while illustrating the heritage evolution towards contemporary uses.
Architecturally, the St. Lawrence church combines classical elements (symmetry, pediment) with local materials such as sandstone, typical of the region. Its square sacristy, coupled with the polygonal choir, and its stone corner chains underline a desire for sustainability and harmony with the Alsatian landscape. The transformation into a festive hall has preserved its structure while adapting its interior to modern needs, offering a successful example of heritage conversion. Available sources (Wikipedia, Monumentum) confirm its status as a communal property and its exact address: 10 rue Principale, 67430 Lorentzen.
Announcements
Please log in to post a review