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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Étienne in Boofzheim, located in the Lower Rhine, is a religious building whose origins date back to at least 1211, although its major reconstruction took place in 1522. From this period remain the porch tower and the departure of the nave, while the current nave and portal date from 1870. The church experienced a turbulent history, serving as a Protestant temple from 1545, except between 1622 and 1632, then becoming a simultaneum (mixed Catholic and Protestant use) from 1867 to 1854, before becoming definitively Catholic again in 1855.

In 1890, murals were discovered in the choir, which was rebuilt in 1896. During this reconstruction, three funeral monuments of the Mueg family, dated from the 16th century, were built there. The sacristy door, dating from 1522, is another remarkable element of the building. The church was listed as a historic monument in 1935, especially for its tombstones and Renaissance gate, reflecting its heritage significance and complex history.

The building illustrates the religious tensions of Alsace, marked by religious changes linked to conflicts and political developments. Its architecture combines various styles, testifying to the different periods of its construction and restoration. Today, the Saint-Étienne church remains a symbol of local heritage, managed by the municipality of Boofzheim and open to the public.

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