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Origin and history

The Saint-Romain church, located in the Gare Jouvenet district of Rouen, has its origins in the seventeenth century. Originally chapel of the convent of the Carmes unshoeed, founded in 1568 and installed on the site in 1624, it was rebuilt between 1679 and 1729 thanks to the financing of the Becdelièvre family. The first stone was laid in 1679 by Pierre de Becdelièvre, the first president of the Court, and the building is dedicated to Saint Roman, Bishop of Rouen under Dagobert. Its Baroque architecture, marked by a Greek cross and a painted dome, reflects this period of reconstruction.

The church became parish during the Revolution, after the expulsion of the Carmelites in 1793. It is closed briefly before being reopened to worship. In the 19th century, the tomb of St.Roman, originally preserved in the crypt of St.Godard's Church, was transferred under the high altar. The building also houses 16th-17th-century stained-glass windows from abandoned Rouennais churches such as Saint-Martin-sur-Renelle or Saint-Étienne-des-Tonneliers. These elements, along with its 18th century organ and bell tower of 1876, testify to its rich heritage.

Ranked as a historic monument in 2022, the church of Saint-Roman is distinguished by its interior decoration, including statues of Saint Thérèse of Avila and Saint Joseph, as well as paintings depicting the life of Saint Roman. Its furniture, such as altars carved by Bonet or baptismal fonts transferred to the Museum of Fine Arts, underscores its historical and artistic importance. The building remains an active place of worship, despite the departure of the Priests of the Blessed Sacrament in 2013.

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