Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Saint-François-d Designed by architect and urbanist Maurice Novarina, also creator of the Spouse sector, it was inaugurated on 18 November 1972. Its modern architecture, devoid of bell tower, rests on a concrete and plywood structure, organized in a square plane, moving away from traditional cross shapes. Inside, the choir houses a sculpture entitled "La Résurrection" (2002) by Jean Gilles, while an exterior fresco of 33,000 elements, signed by artist Pascutto, adorns the walls. A tapestry made in 1972 by parishioners completes this artistic ensemble.

From its opening, the church became the only Christian place of worship in Planoise, replacing five earlier buildings, whose offices were previously held on the Roy Farm (now Micropolis Park). Despite its central role, attendance is declining rapidly: less than a hundred faithful attend Christmas or Easter Masses in the 2000s, reflecting the dechristianization of the neighborhood. Parish activities, which were once dynamic (chorals, clubs, charitable associations), were slowing down, leading to the sale of the auxiliary rooms and the decommissioning of the presbytery. In 2024, the parish priest resides outside the district, at the parish house of Saint-Ferjeux.

The building, damaged despite a roof repair in 2008, was sentenced in June 2023 for security reasons. In 2024, the bishopric of Besançon, owner of the premises, decided on its demolition followed by an identical reconstruction. On September 7, 2024, a "empty church" marked the transfer of liturgical and artistic objects, including the sculpture by Jean Gilles and the tapestry of parishioners. The parish, attached to the Archdiocese of Besançon, remains active under the responsibility of the parish priest François Boiteux, also in charge of the parishes Saint-Férréol and Saint-Jean-Baptiste.

Seven priests have succeeded each other since 1970, including Father Gilles (1970–1979), who was engaged in the integration of Asian communities, and Maurice Bez (1983–2000), who would be responsible for relations with Muslims for the bishopric. Among the notable figures, Jean-François Francisco, ordained priest in 2005, became in 2024 episcopal vicar and dean of the Doubs plateaus. The history of the church thus illustrates the challenges of contemporary religious heritage, between decline of practices and architectural adaptations.

External links