Logo Musée du Patrimoine

All French heritage classified by regions, departments and cities

Church of Saint-Agathe of Rumilly en Haute-Savoie

Patrimoine classé
Patrimoine religieux
Eglise de style classique
Haute-Savoie

Church of Saint-Agathe of Rumilly

    Place de l'Église
    74150 Rumilly
Église Sainte-Agathe de Rumilly
Église Sainte-Agathe de Rumilly
Église Sainte-Agathe de Rumilly
Église Sainte-Agathe de Rumilly
Église Sainte-Agathe de Rumilly
Église Sainte-Agathe de Rumilly
Église Sainte-Agathe de Rumilly
Église Sainte-Agathe de Rumilly
Église Sainte-Agathe de Rumilly
Église Sainte-Agathe de Rumilly
Église Sainte-Agathe de Rumilly
Église Sainte-Agathe de Rumilly
Crédit photo : Richardd - Sous licence Creative Commons

Timeline

Haut Moyen Âge
Moyen Âge central
Bas Moyen Âge
Renaissance
Temps modernes
Révolution/Empire
XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
900
1000
1100
1200
1500
1600
1700
1800
1900
2000
IXe siècle
Early Church
1146
Foundation of the Priory
XVe siècle
Chapel Saint-Claude
19 février 1822
Earthquake
1838-1843
Neoclassical reconstruction
1853
Fresques de Baud and Alberti
1880
Construction of organ
1926 et 2009
MH classification
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Heritage classified

The church (Box AO 82): inscription by decree of 10 July 2009

Key figures

Sainte Agathe - Patron of Rumilly Church dedication, relics present.
Seigneurs de Conzié - Founders of the chapel Chapel Saint-Claude (15th century).
Ernest Melano - Architect Author of the plan chosen in 1837.
Laurent Baud - Painter Author of frescoes (1853).
Alberti - Painter Baud's collaborator for decors.
Joseph Merklin - Organ factor Organ builder (1880).
Humbert et Roch - Bell founders Authors of the bells of 1639.

Origin and history

The church of Sainte-Agathe in Rumilly was founded in the 9th century, with a first primitive church replaced in 1146 by a Benedictine priory dependent on the abbey of Nantua. Dedicated to Saint Agathe, the patron saint of the city, she housed relics and played a central role in local life. Today, only the chapel Saint-Claude, founded in the 15th century by the lords of Conzié, remains of this medieval period. The priory and church were rebuilt several times, especially in the 15th century, before being deeply marked by history.

An earthquake in 1822 severely damaged the building, leading to its demolition in 1838. Rebuilt in a neo-classical Sardinian style – inspired by the models of Turin but perceived as rigid – the church was consecrated in 1843. This architectural choice reflected a desire for modernity, albeit foreign to Savoyard traditions. The 12th century bell tower and sacristy were preserved, as were the chapel of Conzié (1474), at the request of the priest.

The frescoes and decors in trompe-l'oeil, made in 1853 by painters Laurent Baud and Alberti, adorn the naves and chapels. Classified at the ISMH since 1994, they represent saints, virtues (such as Hope or Charity) and biblical scenes, such as the Assumption of the Virgin or Saint Francis of Sales surrounded by angels. Restored between 2013 and 2015, these paintings illustrate 19th century religious art. The organ, built in 1880 by Joseph Merklin, was modified in 1958 and restored in 1982 and 1990, before being ranked in 1985.

The bell tower, dating from the 12th century, houses four bells: two large from 1639, signed by the founders Humbert and Roch, and two small post-revolutionaries of the Paccard foundry. The church, registered as a historical monument in 1926 and 2009, thus embodies nearly a thousand years of history, mixing medieval heritage, reconstruction and neo-classical art.

The reconstruction plans were discussed between 1823 and 1837. The architect Ernest Melano, after several refusals, saw his second project retained in 1837. The works, carried out by the commune (owner), gave birth to a basilical plan building, with a vaulted nave in cradle and low-sides separated by Tuscan columns. The scoops and vaults of the chapels, decorated with scenes such as the Resurrection or the Jardin des Oliviers, bear witness to an ambitious iconographic programme.

External links