Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The church Saint-Barthélemy de Juif, located in the department of Saône-et-Loire in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, finds its origins in an initial structure transformed during the nineteenth century. In 1843, a major expansion added a third to his nave and incorporated a massif-poche, marking a first step in his architectural evolution. These changes reflect the growing needs of an expanding local community, typical of the rural villages of the time.

Around 1864, two side chapels were erected, giving the building a Latin cross plan. This reshaping, combined with elements such as the bell tower supported by arches in the middle of the circle, illustrates a gradual adaptation to the aesthetic and liturgical canons of the century. The chapels, dedicated to Saint Bartholomew and the Virgin Mary, also emphasize the central role of the church in local devotion, while integrating symbolic decorations such as the stone Baptistery or commemorative plaques.

The interior of the church is distinguished by a unique nave with a flat ceiling, contrasting with a narrower vaulted choir, facing east in accordance with tradition. The stained glass windows, some of which represent a colourful cross or a sailboat, as well as a 1958 mural by Michel Bouillot ("Saint Barthélémy in the middle of the Bressans"), testify to an artistic heritage combining heritage and recent creations. The golden tabernacle of the 16th century, adorned with the Lamb, recalls the continuity of Catholic worship in this place.

Assigned to the parish of Saint-Pierre-en-Louhannais (diocese of Autun) under the law of 1905, the Jewish church now embodies an active place of worship, while serving as a historical landmark for the commune. Its architecture, marked by successive additions, reflects the social and religious dynamics of a rural region such as the Bresse, where religious buildings played a role both spiritual and community.

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