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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Maximin d'Ussel, located in Boust, Moselle, was rebuilt between 1958 and 1963 under the direction of architects Georges-Henri Pingusson and Paul Aynes, as part of the reparations for war damage. The original building, partially destroyed during the 1940 fighting, retained only a Romanesque tower. The new reinforced concrete building is distinguished by its rotunda plan, its terrace cover, and an independent campanile, reflecting modern post-World War II architecture.

The interior decoration combines several artists: Jean Lambert-Rucki made the statue of Christ and the bronze crucifix, while Henri Martin-Granel and Pierre Bozzolini designed the stained glass windows of the Baptistery and tympanum. The church replaces the former Usselkirch, destroyed in 1940, and symbolizes the reconstruction of the religious heritage of Lorraine. Classified as a Historic Monument in 2014, it also includes a monument to the dead integrated into its architectural ensemble, highlighting its memorial anchor.

The site, owned by the municipality of Boust, is protected in its entirety, including the soil of the surrounding parcels, according to the 2014 classification order. The plans of Pingusson, marked by a functional and aesthetic approach, make it a notable example of modern religious architecture in France. The current location, 700 metres from the old church, reflects a post-conflict urban choice, while preserving the memory of the place of origin.

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