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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Étienne de Rennes, located at the crossroads of Jouaust, is an ancient chapel of the convent of Augustins, built between 1676 and 1700. It replaces an older chapel and is blessed on January 16, 1700, originally dedicated to St Stephen and St Augustine. Its rectangular plan and bedside with cut strips reflect the religious architecture of the period, with a facade superimposing the doric and ionic orders, surmounted by a square tower with a dome and a rounded campanile.

During the French Revolution, the Augustine were expelled, and the church was temporarily assigned to decader worship before being returned to Catholic worship in 1803, under the sole patronage of St Stephen. In the 19th century, it underwent trimmings, then repairs after World War II, including the replacement of the broken stained glass windows (works by Claudius Lavergne) by those of Joseph Archepel in 1951. The building has been listed as historic monuments since 1 February 1978.

The church preserves traces of its turbulent history, such as its original double patronage or modern stained glass windows. Its location, between the Place des Lices and the wharfs of Ill, makes it a major urban landmark. The sources also mention his role in the parish of Saint-Étienne and his connection with the theatre of Old Saint-Étienne, highlighting his attachment to the cultural life of Rennes.

The documents consulted (Wikipédia, Monumentum, Mérimée base) confirm its status as communal property and its openness to the public. Its architecture, marked by Augustinian influence, and its history reflect the religious and political upheavals of Brittany in the 17th to 20th centuries.

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