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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church Saint-Barthélémy de Recologne, located in the Doubs department in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, is a religious building built between 1743 and 1756. It replaces a modest pre-existing chapel and was consecrated in 1756. Its architecture and furniture reflect the late Baroque style, typical of the region at that time.

The church houses remarkable stucco decorations, made in 1748-1749 by the stucator Jacques-François Marca. These works include three altarpieces (including that of the high altar), a pulpit and bas-reliefs illustrating scenes of Christ's life, all classified as historical monuments. Two 19th-century statuettes (the Virgin and Saint Philomena) and a cross path on local land, created by artist Louis Chifflet, complete his furniture.

The building has been listed as a historic monument since 7 August 1987. It depends on the parish of Marnay-Recologne, attached to the diocese of Besançon. Its protection covers the whole structure, including its classified interior elements. The municipality owns it, and the church remains an active place of worship.

The church was built in a regional context marked by a religious architectural renewal in the 18th century, when rural parishes received funding to replace old medieval buildings. Recologne, like other villages in the Doubs, saw his church become a symbol of piety and community cohesion, while integrating artistic influences from Italy or Franche-Comté.

The stucco decorations of Jacques-François Marca show the importance attached to the beautification of places of worship, even in rural areas. These achievements, combined with local elements such as the Way of the Cross in the Land of Recologne, illustrate a fusion between artisanal know-how and aesthetic ambition, characteristic of the baroque churches of East France.

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