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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The church Saint-Pierre de Monthieux, located in the Ain department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, is a religious building built in the 12th century. It has been listed as historic monuments since 1979, excluding its bell tower and western façade. Its architecture, including the layout of the cut stones, is typical of the Dombes region.

The origin of the church is related to an alleged donation in 587 (uncertain date) by Girard and his wife Grimberge, although this information is little documented. In 1245, Pope Innocent IV confirmed his membership in the Abbey of the Ladies of Saint Peter in Lyon. The building underwent modifications, such as the destruction of its original bell tower in 1793, and its reconstruction in the 19th century. An exact reproduction of the bell tower was undertaken at that time.

The church houses tombs of local noble families, such as the Gaspard and Damascus. In 1483, Claude de Gaspard asked to be buried in a chapel he founded. Two inscriptions, one partially erased, are visible in the building. The incomes of the parish were shared between the local clergy and the Benedictines of Lyon, reflecting the historical links between the church and this abbey.

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