Saint-Gangoulf Church of Guessling en Moselle

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Origin and history

The Church of Saint-Gangoulf of Guessling-Hémering is a Catholic building dedicated to Gangolf d-Avallon, patron saint of the parish. It replaces a first church built in 1690 in the enclosure of the ancient cemetery of Guessling, whose location remains identifiable. A resident vicar has been there since 1730, marking the religious importance of the place in the Archpriested of Morhange.

The construction of the present church began in 1848, although not completed, it was blessed in 1850 by Bishop Dupont des Loges, Bishop of Metz. At that time, the parish had remarkable statues, including a 17th century wooden Virgin and an 18th century statue of St.Gangolf, as well as 19th century liturgical furniture (confessionnals, organ buffet).

During the First World War, the three church bells, dating from 1848 and 1861, were confiscated by the Germans to be melted into cannons. In 1925, under the leadership of Abbé Schwartz, four new bells were ordered at Annecy. In World War II, three of these bells, according to legend, disappeared buried in the local forest to escape a new requisition.

In 1948, Abbé Édouard Robin ordered three replacement bells (2,030 kg, 1,165 kg and 830 kg) at a cost of 954,681 francs. Cardinal Bernardin Gantin, close to the parish, made his last visit in 1999, staying with locals. The church remains a symbol of resilience and faith for the community.

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