Heritage classified

Origin and history

The church Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur de Montrouge, located in the Hauts-de-Seine in Île-de-France, is a religious building built between 1934 and 1940 by architect Éric Bagge, within the framework of the Cardinal's Buildings. This project, initiated by Cardinal Verdier in 1931, aimed to modernize Catholic places of worship in the Paris region. The reinforced concrete structure, inspired by the innovations of Eugene Freyssinet and the church of Notre-Dame du Raincy, was a pioneer for the time. The war interrupted the work, leaving the church unfinished, including its bell tower never built. The interior decor, created between 1947 and 1949 by a collective of artists (André Auclair, Robert Lesbounit, Jean Leduc, Ipusteguy, etc.), includes monumental frescoes illustrating the life of Saint Jacques, commissioned by the Secretariat for Fine Arts.

The church replaces several earlier buildings, first mentioned in the 13th century. Rebuilt several times (1533 under François I, 1700, then 1823-1828 by Simon Vallot), it was demolished in the early 20th century for urban reasons. Despite the 1905 law on the separation of churches and the state, the present building remains the property of the municipality of Montrouge, thanks to an agreement with the diocese. Ranked a historic monument in 2006, the church underwent a major restoration between 2013 and 2016 (budget of 8 million euros) to treat the carbonation of concrete. It now houses contemporary liturgical furniture, including a brass altar and gold leaves designed by Jean-Jacques Bris (2016), containing a relic of Saint James.

The church of Saint James the Majeur is one of the three places of worship of the parish of Saint Josephine-Bakhita of Montrouge, integrated into the diocese of Nanterre. Designated as a place of pilgrimage for the faithful unable to visit Compostela (since 1885), it retains a major spiritual and heritage role. Its history reflects the architectural, urban and religious evolutions of the Parisian suburbs, from the Middle Ages to the contemporary era. Successive priests, such as Abbé Louis de Boissieu (1927-1951), marked his development, especially during his consecration in 1937.

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