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Origin and history

Saint-Étienne de Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray Church is a Catholic religious building located in the Seine-Maritime department of Normandy. Its construction ranges from the 16th century for the nave to the 17th century for the bell tower. The choir, erected in 1619, was destroyed in 1836 and rebuilt the following year. This monument illustrates the religious architecture of the region, mixing Renaissance and classical elements.

The church's stained glass windows, partially classified as historical monuments in 1908, were unfortunately destroyed in 1941, probably during World War II bombings. The building itself has been included in the general inventory of cultural heritage since 1987. Among the notable works preserved are a 16th-century polychrome wooden statue depicting Saint Anne, as well as a 17th-century canvas on the theme of religious Vocation.

A tragic event marked the recent history of the church: on 26 July 2016, a hostage-taking took place during a mass in which priest Jacques Hamel was murdered. This act, claimed by the Islamic State, has profoundly affected the local and national community. A mass of reparation was celebrated on October 2, 2016, and the church temporarily became a Holy Gate in the Jubilee of Mercy, symbolizing its resilience and spiritual role.

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