Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Plaine d'Oyonnax, located in the Ain department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, is an emblematic 20th-century religious building. Built between 1967 and 1969 in the Plaine district, it is distinguished by its use of raw concrete, a rare material for the time, which gives it a unique aesthetic and remarkable robustness. The building and its liturgical furniture were designed under the direction of the Parisian architect Pierre Pinsard, influenced by Le Corbusier, and his assistant Hugo Vollmar. The construction of the site was entrusted to the company Billiez-Godet, with René Collet, an Oyonnaxian foreman, who played a key role in the exceptional quality of the concrete used.

The church was inaugurated in 1970 by the bishop of Belley and Abbé Morel, his first parish priest. Since March 10, 2003, it has been awarded the "Twentieth Century Heritage" label, recognizing its architectural and historical importance. René Collet, whose work on this project was praised by the Academy of Architecture with a bronze medal, was particularly highlighted for his respect of the plans and his seriousness. This monument illustrates a period when religious architecture explored new materials and forms, marking a break with traditional styles.

The Notre-Dame-de-la-Plaine church is part of a local context where Oyonnax, known for its plastic industry, saw the emergence of modern constructions reflecting the technical and aesthetic innovations of the time. This type of building, both functional and symbolic, played a central role in community life, providing a place of worship adapted to the spiritual and social needs of a population undergoing economic and cultural change.

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