Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of St. John's Arc in Belfort was designed after the bombings of 1944, when the diocesan association decided to build a place of worship in the working-class district of the Pépinière. The architect Marcel Lods proposed an ambitious parish centre project including church, sacristies, community halls and clerical housing. Only the church, accompanied by sacristy and housing for vicars, was finally built between 1952 and 1957, probably due to budgetary or technical constraints.

The building adopts a rectangular reinforced concrete structure, emblematic material of modern post-war architecture, with an independent bell tower. The stained glass windows, made of glass slab by artist Jean-Luc Perrot, bring a distinctive artistic touch. The church was classified as Historic Monument by decree of 16 February 1999, thus recognizing its heritage value in the architectural and religious landscape of Burgundy-Franche-Comté.

The choice of Belfort, a city marked by the destruction of the Second World War, reflects a desire for reconstruction and spiritual renewal for the inhabitants of the neighborhood. The initial project, although partially realized, illustrates the ambition to create a versatile space for the community, combining religious, educational and social functions. Today, the church remains a testimony of the adaptation of sacred architecture to the needs and techniques of the twentieth century.

External links