Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Church of the Immaculate Design of Audincourt, also known as the Church of Forges, is a parish church located in the Doubs, Burgundy-Franche-Comté. It was designed by the architect and religious Dom Bellot, assisted by Marcel Hézard, and built between 1929 and 1932. This monument is one of the first reinforced concrete churches in France, reflecting a major architectural innovation for the time.

The historically Protestant region of Audincourt underwent a demographic transformation with the massive arrival of Catholic workers, mainly Italian and Polish, at the beginning of the 20th century. This development required the reconstruction of the church, originally built in 1863, to meet the needs of this new population. The current building was built to accommodate this growing community.

The church stands out for its bold architecture, mixing square outer forms and softly curved interiors, composed of segments on the right. The square bell tower and the turret with a screw staircase are significant elements of its silhouette. Inside, the Latin cross plan, the three-span nave and the polygonal abside illustrate an innovative spatial design for a place of worship.

The stained glass windows, made by Valentine Reyre, pay homage to the Virgin Mary, while a painting of the Supper (late 19th century) and a statue of the Virgin with Child, carved by Henri Charlier in 1932, enrich her artistic heritage. The church was first listed as a historical monument in 2009, before being classified in 2013, and benefited from the "Twentieth Century Heritage" label.

The reinforced concrete structure, combined with polychrome brick and reconstituted stone walls, demonstrates a modern and functional approach. The faceted vaults, painted in various colours, and the openwork claustras of the interior foothills create a luminous and unique atmosphere, characteristic of Dom Bellot's style.

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