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Church of Saint Martin de Masevaux à Masevaux dans le Haut-Rhin

Patrimoine classé
Patrimoine religieux
Eglise de style classique
Haut-Rhin

Church of Saint Martin de Masevaux

    Place du Lieutenant-Colonel-de-Gayardon
    68290 Masevaux-Niederbruck
Église Saint-Martin de Masevaux
Église Saint-Martin de Masevaux
Église Saint-Martin de Masevaux
Église Saint-Martin de Masevaux
Église Saint-Martin de Masevaux
Église Saint-Martin de Masevaux
Église Saint-Martin de Masevaux
Église Saint-Martin de Masevaux
Église Saint-Martin de Masevaux
Église Saint-Martin de Masevaux
Église Saint-Martin de Masevaux
Église Saint-Martin de Masevaux
Église Saint-Martin de Masevaux
Église Saint-Martin de Masevaux
Église Saint-Martin de Masevaux
Église Saint-Martin de Masevaux
Église Saint-Martin de Masevaux
Église Saint-Martin de Masevaux
Église Saint-Martin de Masevaux
Église Saint-Martin de Masevaux
Église Saint-Martin de Masevaux
Église Saint-Martin de Masevaux
Église Saint-Martin de Masevaux
Église Saint-Martin de Masevaux
Église Saint-Martin de Masevaux
Église Saint-Martin de Masevaux
Église Saint-Martin de Masevaux
Église Saint-Martin de Masevaux
Église Saint-Martin de Masevaux
Église Saint-Martin de Masevaux
Église Saint-Martin de Masevaux
Crédit photo : Rauenstein - Sous licence Creative Commons

Timeline

Temps modernes
Révolution/Empire
XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
1800
1900
2000
1755
Initial project
1786
Demolition decided
1787
Start of work
1837
Resumption of work
1842
Church Consecration
1937
Partial protection
27 juin 1966
A devastating fire
1971
End of reconstruction
1975
Installation of the great organ
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Heritage classified

Facade and tower: inscription by order of 24 May 1937

Key figures

Gabriel Ignace Ritter - Initial architect Author of the 1787 project.
Jean-Baptiste Kléber - Inspector of work Confirm the risk of collapse.
Jacques François Antoine Kuen - Architect restorer Directs the works from 1837.
Jean-Baptiste Glorieux - Sculptor Author of the statues of virtues.
Joseph Callinet et Claude Ignace Callinet - Organ factors Creators of the inaugural organ of 1842.
Alfred Kern - Organ factor Author of the great organ of 1975.
Pierre Chevreau - Founder of the festival Created the Organ Festival in 1977.

Origin and history

The church of Saint-Martin de Masevaux, located in the Haut-Rhin, finds its origins in a project launched in 1755 to replace an old Romanesque church deemed old and out of date. Construction began in 1787 according to the plans of architect Gabriel Ignace Ritter, but the works were interrupted due to cracks in the tower, confirmed as dangerous by Jean-Baptiste Kléber and Strolz. The nave, covered but unmaintained, deteriorates, and the offices are temporarily transferred to St. Erhard's Church from the hospital.

In 1837, the municipality re-launched the site under the direction of architect Jacques Kuen, member of the municipal council and chairman of the factory council. Kuen profoundly altered the main façade and added three statues of theological virtues, carved by Jean-Baptiste Glorieux de Belfort. The church was finally consecrated in 1842. It then houses a remarkable organ designed by Joseph and Claude Ignace Callinet, inaugurated the same year. The building, partially protected in 1937, suffered a devastating fire in 1966, destroying the organ and furniture.

The reconstruction, completed in 1971 under the direction of architects J. T. Boemlé and J. D. Evette, allowed the installation of two new organs: a large organ by Alfred Kern in 1975 and a choir organ by Curt Schwenkedel in 1973. These instruments revive local musical life, leading to the creation of the Masevaux Organ Festival in 1977. The church, symbol of resilience, now blends 18th century architectural heritage with modern elements from its post-fire restoration.

Architecturally, the church combines a peg tower and a sandstone nave, while the rest of the building, in coated bellows, features a salient transept and a semicircular choir. Inside, pilasters beat the nave and the choir, both ceilinged. The facade, adorned with a pediment carved with IHS initials and surmounted by statues of theological virtues, reflects the 19th century transformations. The building, owned by the municipality, remains an active place of worship and a testament to the artistic and technical developments that have been taking place since its conception.

External links