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Saint-Jérôme Church of Toulouse en Haute-Garonne

Patrimoine classé
Patrimoine religieux
Eglise baroque
Haute-Garonne

Saint-Jérôme Church of Toulouse

    2 Rue du Lieutenant-Colonel Pélissier
    31000 Toulouse
Église Saint-Jérôme de Toulouse
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Crédit photo : PierreSelim - Sous licence Creative Commons

Timeline

Renaissance
Temps modernes
Révolution/Empire
XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
1600
1700
1800
1900
2000
1575
Foundation of the Brotherhood
1622-1626
Construction of the chapel
1734-1735
Interior decoration
1792
Dissolution of the Brotherhood
1801
Transformation into a parish church
1980
Historical Monument
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Heritage classified

Chapelle des Penitents Bleus (old) (Box AB 261) : classification by order of 6 March 1980

Key figures

Pierre Levesville - Architect Designed the chapel in 1622.
Louis XIII - King of France First royal member of the brotherhood.
Marc Arcis - Sculptor Author of bas-reliefs (1734-1735).
Jacques-Pascal Virebent - Municipal architect Transforms the church in 1805.
Jean de Salinge - Painter Decorate the vault in the 17th century.
Henri Bach - Architect Restore the choir in 1857-1858.

Origin and history

The church of Saint-Jérôme in Toulouse, originally chapel of the Blue Penitents, was built in 1622 by the architect Pierre Levesville under the reign of Louis XIII, the first member king of this brotherhood. The first stone was laid by the bishop of Pamiers in 1622, and the major work completed in 1626. The interior decoration, including bas-reliefs by Marc Arcis (1734-1735) and paintings by Jean de Salinge, reflects Toulouse's Baroque art. The Brotherhood, founded in 1575, occupied several places before settling permanently in this chapel in 1627.

During the French Revolution, the chapel became a decader temple dedicated to the Supreme Being, and was transformed into a parish church in 1801. The architect Jacques-Pascal Virebent modified the interior in 1805, expanding the choir and adding a hexagonal bell tower. In the 19th century, artistic restorations and additions, such as Paul Chalon's stained glass windows and Justin Pibou's frescoes, enriched the building. The church was listed as a Historic Monument in 1980.

The church is distinguished by its oval centered plan, its two rotundas, and its Passage Saint-Jérôme, a gallery linking the entrances to the rue du Lieutenant-Colonel-Pélissier and rue de la Pomme. This passage exposes liturgical objects, including an ostensoir-liquiar in vermeil. The side chapels, like that of Notre-Dame de Bon Secours (restored in 2009), house baroque altarpieces and statues. The organ of the gallery and the painted decorations, although partially disappeared, bear witness to its rich artistic heritage.

The brotherhood of the Blue Penitents, dissolved in 1792, played a key role in sponsoring the works. Local artists, such as sculptor Mathieu and painter Hector Estienne (fresque of 1639), contributed to his beautification. The furniture, dispersed during the Revolution, was partly restored in the 19th century. Today, the church, integrated into the Sanctuary of Saint-Jérôme since 2016, remains a place of worship and major heritage in Toulouse.

Its architecture combines Toulouse brick and baroque elements, with tile roofs and a slate arrow. The successive amendments, such as the addition of plaster cupolas by Virebent or the bas-reliefs by Henri Bach (1857), illustrate its evolution. The stained glass windows and the pulpit to preach (1805), designed by Jean-Louis Ajon, complete this remarkable ensemble. The church symbolizes both Toulouse religious history and southern baroque art.

External links