Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Saint-Hippolyte, located in Saint-Hippolyte in the Upper Rhine, is a religious building whose oldest parts date back to the 14th century. The choir, vaulted with warheads and with its assembled walls, is pierced with trilobed broken arch windows, while the nave, slightly posterior (15th century), presents three ships separated by arcades falling on octagonal pillars. A north chapel, dated 1599 by a window, and a south sacristy complete the whole.

The bell tower, of square and octagonal base at its top, was rebuilt in 1822 according to the plans of an architect signed "F.B.". This project is part of an expansion of the nave westward, decided by the municipality in 1820. The building, inscribed in the historic monuments in 1932, thus combines medieval elements (windows in broken arch, taluté foothills) and a neoclassical facade, reflecting its architectural evolution over five centuries.

Inside, the central vessel is separated from the sides by arches with various mouldings, one of which carries a carved shield from a thistle. The choir, with a right span and an apse, houses a vault whose veins fall on conical caps. The northern chapel, vaulted dogives, presents keys carved from oak leaves and vines, showing a neat craftsmanship.

The church occupies a terrace overlooking the Grand Street, highlighting its central role in the urban landscape. Its history reflects the liturgical and community needs of Saint Hippolyte, from the Middle Ages to post-revolutionary restoration. The modifications of the 19th century, such as the wooden organ stand, illustrate the adaptation of the building to cultural practices of the time.

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