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Origin and history

The church Saint-François-Régis de Saint-Étienne, located in the Loire department, is a religious building marked by a turbulent history. Its first construction dates back to 1858 under the leadership of the Abbé de Laplagne, before being erected as a parish in 1860. In 1910, it was rebuilt by architect Paul Noulin-Lespes at the request of Abbé Fustier, but suffered heavy damage during the bombing on 26 May 1944. After the war, it was rebuilt by Édouard Hur and Abbé Court according to the same plan as the 1910 building, with a bell tower finally demolished in 1972.

The present church, dated from the middle of the twentieth century, presents a Greek cross plan illuminated by coloured glass cobblestones at the level of the broken arches, converging towards a central dome. The choir, decorated with a multitude of broken arches, ends with three stained glass windows signed Hanssen, while two side altars are enriched with Bobichon painted glasses. The ensemble, including the sacristy, has been listed as historic monuments since May 14, 2008, demonstrating its heritage and architectural importance.

The monument embodies successive reconstructions related to historical hazards, including World War II, while integrating outstanding artistic elements such as stained glass windows and glass windows. Its architecture, combining tradition and modernity, reflects the stylistic evolutions and liturgical needs of the time. Today, it remains an active place of worship, managed by a diocesan association, and a symbol of the resilience of the Stéphanois community.

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