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Origin and history

The church Saint-Nicolas de Neuvecelle finds its origins in the private chapel of the lords of Neuvecelle, built in the twelfth century in the enclosure of their castle. This first place of worship, integrated into the parish of Saint-André-en-Gavot, was gradually redesigned and enlarged before being completely rebuilt from 1840 on its original site. The solemn consecration by Monsignor Louis Rendu took place on 4 July 1847, marking the completion of this reconstruction in Sardinian neoclassical style, characterized by a dome and a Latin cross plan. The Romanesque bell tower, later added in 1896, contrasts with this more recent architecture.

Over the centuries, the church has retained remarkable furniture, such as the two statues of St.Nicholas and St.Didier, resettled after the reconstruction. The original altarpiece, replaced in 1884 by a new work commissioned by a artisan of Saint-Jeoire, was transferred to the chapel of Maraîche. The transept windows, decorated with the coat of arms of Neuvecelle (the roots of which date back to the 12th century), recall the historical link between the building and the local seigneury. Today, four bells beat parish life: two casts in 1819 by Louis Golay (Switzerland), and two others added in 1911 by the fondeurs Paccard.

The church benefited from restorations at the end of the 20th century, thus preserving its architectural and furniture heritage. Its central location in the village, inherited from its original function as a castral chapel, makes it a lasting symbol of the religious and community life of Neuvecelle, from the Middle Ages to the contemporary era.

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