Grant to the canons of Arles 1052 (≈ 1052)
Guillaume de Marseille gave way to the early church.
1061
Donation to the chapter of Saint-Trophime
Donation to the chapter of Saint-Trophime 1061 (≈ 1061)
By Archbishop Raimbaud of Arles.
1624
Church deemed too small
Church deemed too small 1624 (≈ 1624)
Reconstruction decision imposed.
1625
Sentence for reconstruction
Sentence for reconstruction 1625 (≈ 1625)
Financing imposed by the senate floor.
1638
First church rebuilt
First church rebuilt 1638 (≈ 1638)
Baptism of the first registered child.
1791
Transformation into a revolutionary club
Transformation into a revolutionary club 1791 (≈ 1791)
During the French Revolution.
1869-1876
Construction of the present church
Construction of the present church 1869-1876 (≈ 1873)
Neo-Roman style, perpendicular axis.
1992
Renovation of the bell tower
Renovation of the bell tower 1992 (≈ 1992)
Added an orientation table.
2008
Soil restoration
Soil restoration 2008 (≈ 2008)
Conservation of old tommettes.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
Guillaume, vicomte de Marseille - Local Lord
Cedes the church in 1052.
Raimbaud, archevêque d’Arles - Donor
Offer the church to the chapter in 1061.
Chapitre de Saint-Trophime - Religious institution
Impulse reconstruction in 1625.
Origin and history
The Church of St Martin of St Martin of Crau finds its origins in a primitive church mentioned in the tenth century under the name of Sanctus Martinus of palude majori. In 1052, it was granted to the canons of Arles by Guillaume, Viscount of Marseilles, then given to the chapter of Saint-Trophime in 1061. Backed by a Romanesque watch tower, it was considered too small in 1624 to accommodate parishioners, triggering a conflict over its financing. Despite local reluctance, a sentence on the senate floor of Arles in 1625 imposed its reconstruction, completed around 1638 with the addition of a bell tower on the old tower.
The new church, active in 1638, became a central place for the 800 inhabitants of the parish in 1790, before being transformed into a revolutionary club in 1791. In the 19th century, its condition deteriorated, leading to the construction of the current building between 1869 and 1876 in a neo-Roman style, perpendicular to the old foundations. Part of the old buildings is reused for the sacristy and lodging of priests.
Major renovation campaigns are undertaken by the municipality: in 1992, the bell tower (former guard tower) was restored and equipped with an orientation table; In 1995, the façade, stained glass and nave were rehabilitated, followed in 2008 by the renovation of the floor and watertightness, with the preservation of the original tomettes. The church remains a testimony of the architectural and religious evolutions of the region, linked to the archdiocese of Aix-en-Provence and Arles.
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