Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of the Sacred Heart of Audincourt, built between 1949 and 1951 in the Doubs department, embodies modern sacred art of the twentieth century. Initiated by Fr. Louis Prenel for a working-class parish created in 1946, its realization was entrusted to the architect Maurice Novarina, known for his work on the church of the plateau of Assy. Funded by donations, quests and the volunteerism of parishioners, it symbolizes the post-Second World War reconstruction in a neighbourhood marked by the automobile industry.

The building combines reinforced concrete and assembled stone, with a rectangular nave facing north-south, a semicircular apse and an crypt. Its architecture is inspired by ancient temples (portico, roof) and Byzantines (clocher and christens). Ranked a historic monument in 1996, it is distinguished by its minimalism and integration of works by major artists, reflecting the pacifist and spiritual aspirations of the post-war period.

The interior and exterior decorations were orchestrated by Father Marie-Alain Couturier, who mobilized renowned artists. Jean Bazaine realized the abstract mosaic of the facade and the stained glass window of the Baptistery, while Fernand Léger designed the seventeen stained glass windows of the nave (theme of the Passion) and the tapestry of the choir, incorporating everyday objects. Jean Le Moal signed the stained glass windows of the crypt, a wall mosaic and pavement. These collaborations make the church a unique place, where contemporary art and spirituality dialogue.

The church also illustrates a community approach: parishioners actively participated in its construction, and its financing was based on loans and collections. Today, it bears witness to the architectural and artistic audacity of the post-war period, while remaining a place of worship anchored in its industrial territory. Its classification in 1996 highlights its heritage value, both historical, social and aesthetic.

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