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Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Notre-Dame de Jallà finds its origins at the beginning of the fourteenth century, with a first construction located on the present town hall square. This medieval building, probably built on the foundations of an even older church, suffered two devastating fires in 1568 and 1574, attributed to Protestants during the Wars of Religion. The damage worsened during the Vendée War: in 1793 the National Guards profane the church, then the column of General Desmarres ransacked the village and the building. Despite a partial reconstruction of the bell tower in 1819 by the parishioners, the building, considered small, was finally abandoned.

The construction of the present church began on 29 September 1861 and was completed in 1865, with a capacity of over 1,000 faithful. The bell tower, completed in 1886, crowns a solemnly consecrated building on April 15, 1925. The old church, disused in 1866, was transformed into a town hall after being truncated by its bell tower and its lower side. A floor then divides its nave into two levels. Despite consolidation work, it was demolished in 1961, considered to be of no architectural value after the inauguration of a new city hall.

The present church is home to remarkable heritage features, including an 18th-century painting entitled The Triomphe of Religion, inspired by Rubens. His stained glass, the work of François Fialeix, and his path of the cross signed Henri Bouriché testify to his rich interior decor. These works, combined with a turbulent history, make it a symbol of religious and community resilience in Anjou.

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