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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Saint-Martin de Vendhuile, located in the department of Aisne in the Hauts-de-France region, was completely destroyed during the First World War. Its reconstruction, carried out between 1927 and 1928, was entrusted to the Parisian architect Jacques Droz, known for his achievements as the church Saint-Louis de Vincennes or the church Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc de Nice. This project marked a period of active reconstruction in France after the ravages of the conflict, with the use of modern materials such as reinforced concrete.

The building is distinguished by its unique nave of square plan, surmounted by a reinforced concrete dome, and its facades coated with cement crepi. The stained glass windows, designed by Jean Hébert-Stevens from the cartons of Valentine Reyre, and the murals of the choir, also signed Reyre, illustrate the religious art of the inter-war period. The path of the cross, realized by the same artist, completes this coherent artistic ensemble.

The church was listed as a historical monument in 1994, recognizing its heritage and architectural value. It reflects both the destruction of the Great War and the architectural innovation of the 1920s, mixing functionality and modern aesthetics. Its reinforced concrete architecture, rare for a church of that time, makes it a remarkable example of post-conflict reconstruction.

The town of Vendhuile, owner of the monument, now ensures its preservation. The artistic contributions of Valentine Reyre (paintings and stained glass windows), Jean Hébert-Stevens and André Rinuy (Vitraux) highlight the collaboration between architects and artists to revive this place of worship, a symbol of resilience for the local community.

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