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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Martin de Villette-sur-Ain, located in the department of Ain, finds its origins in antiquity, as evidenced by excavations that revealed Gaulish and Roman coins, as well as ancient ceramics. These findings suggest that it was built on the site of an ancient sanctuary. As early as the 9th century, it was mentioned as dependent on the abbey of Nantua, integrated into the Clunysian network. A first Romanesque part, dated the 11th century, was completed by later Gothic elements, including the northern side chapels, built by the local lords to be buried there.

In the 19th century, the church underwent several transformations and conflicts. In 1811, the commune accused the construction of Imperial Highway No. 102 (now RN 84) of causing cracks in the building, but lost the lawsuit against the state. Several renovation campaigns follow: construction of the southern side chapels and a vault in 1849, consolidation of the bell tower, and movement of the adjacent cemetery. The painter Jean Scohy, mayor of Villette in 1970, decorates inside religious frescoes, including the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (1878) and biblical scenes on the vaults of the bell tower.

Church architecture combines Roman and Gothic elements. The choir, with side arches and cradle vaults, incorporates re-used ancient columns, including a cannelée of Roman origin. The bell tower, quadrangular, was destroyed during the Revolution and rebuilt. The northern chapels, of medieval origin, house 16th century murals, restored in 1992. The building, which was listed as a historical monument in 1992, also preserves ancient baptismal backgrounds and 17th century woodwork. Its history reflects the religious, political and artistic evolutions of the region, from antiquity to contemporary times.

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