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Origin and history

The Saint-Firmin Church of May-sur-Orne is a 20th-century religious building protected by historical monuments. His history was marked by total destruction during Operation Totalize in 1944, during the Second World War. The first place of worship on this site probably dates back to the 6th and 7th centuries, while a 19th century church, built in 1885, was destroyed by fighting.

Reconstruction was first considered a simple restoration of the 19th century building, but the project evolved towards a modern creation. In 1954, architect Pierre Bienvenu, already author of other churches of the Reconstruction in Normandy, proposed a bold design. The first stone was laid on 28 June 1955, and the church was inaugurated five years later, on 10 July 1960, after the consecration of its altar on 8 July.

The architecture of the church is distinguished by a reinforced concrete frame, with four interlocking portals supporting a 42-metre central bell tower. The exterior walls, covered with limestone rubble, integrate into the local landscape while symbolizing the post-war renaissance. This blend of modernity and traditional materials reflects the spirit of Reconstruction in Normandy, where functionality and memory combine.

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