Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Church of the Heart-Immaculate of Mary was originally designed to meet the spiritual needs of the expanding Saint-Acheul neighbourhood in Amiens. A temporary wooden chapel was erected in 1930, followed by the construction of an crypt between 1932 and 1934, according to the plans of architects Mallet and Carpentier. The complete construction of the building, outside the bell tower, was only possible in 1955-1956, thanks to a public subscription and the impulse of Father Jacques-Louis Guérin, parish priest.

The architecture of the church is distinguished by its modern style, marked by an elongated plane to false transept and a visible concrete structure. Materials, such as exposed brick and wide glass windows, as well as innovative techniques ( Fabre vaults, cruck structure), reflect a desire to break with traditional cannons. The eleven windows, designed by Gérard Ansart and realized by the Pasquier workshop, reinforce this contemporary artistic dimension.

Despite its partial completion (the bell tower remained unfinished), the church embodies a 20th century religious heritage, mixing community functionality and architectural audacity. Its history also illustrates the financial and technical challenges encountered during its construction, spread over nearly three decades. The Boutillerie district, where it is located, benefited from a place of worship adapted to its urban development.

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