Church of Saint Marcelcave dans la Somme

Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Saint-Marcel de Marcelcave, located in the Somme department east of Amiens, finds its origins in the sixteenth century. Its first construction was marked by the destructions linked to the Spanish invasion of 1636, then by a fire in 1801 which saved only the bell tower and the nave. These events forced partial reconstruction in the 19th century.

World War I sealed its destiny: the church and the village were completely destroyed in 1918. The reconstruction, led by architect J. Antoine between the two wars, was completed in 1929. This new building adopted an art deco style, mixing brick and stone, with geometric decorative elements and interior frescoes in sgraffitte, now partially erased.

The interior of the church is distinguished by its glass windows of Pierre Turpin, representing the twelve apostles, and its liturgical furniture in painted concrete. The porch, adorned with an arcade in the middle of the wall, has sculptures of birds, clusters of grapes and vine leaves, while the tympanum presents a Christ in majesty. These artistic details reflect a desire for rebirth after the ravages of the war.

The murals by A. Boucheron and G. Leduc illustrate religious scenes such as the Way of the Cross or historical figures such as Jeanne d'Arc and Saint Louis. Despite their degradation, they demonstrate the cultural and spiritual importance of this place to the local community, in a region deeply marked by the conflicts of the twentieth century.

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