Timeline

Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The church Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Saint-Jean-du-Gard, located on Rue du Marshal de Thoiras, is distinct from the Tower of the Clock, bell tower of the Evangelical Free Church. The remains of the early church, including a side wall and two interior arches, date back to the early 12th century and even to the late 11th century. These elements attest to his initial role as parish church and seat of a priory dependent on the monastery of Saint-Gilles, mentioned as early as 1119 in the Bullary of Saint-Gilles.

The tower-clocher, the base of the present building, has a structure in two parts: a lower floor to bossage dating from the 13th century (or the late 12th), surmounted by a more summary square tower, pierced cruciform archères added to the 14th century. These adjustments reflect a gradual adaptation to watch and defence functions, with no initial military origin. The upper platform and a turret housing the clock mechanism, backed up to the east face, result from subsequent modifications.

Ranked a historic monument since 1963 (with the exception of the round turret), the tower and remains of the church (Cadastre H 347) are now owned by the municipality. Their present state combines medieval heritage and modern redevelopments, illustrating the architectural and functional evolution of this place of worship in the heart of Saint-Jean-du-Gard, in the present Gard department.

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