Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine in Praz-sur-Arly finds its origins in a chapel dedicated to Saints Bernart and Magdeleine, mentioned in 1606 by François de Sales as "covered and decorated". This chapel, originally located in the hamlet of Pratz, dependent on the parish of Megève, was enlarged in 1696 thanks to a donation from the Clement-Berthet family. Parish independence, acquired after the revolutionary occupation, led to the construction of a new church on August 4, 1803, marking a key step in local religious autonomy.

The present building, erected in 1881 in a pseudo-Roman style, replaces the early church and was entirely financed and maintained by parishioners, including bell tower and presbytery. Between 1950 and 1955, an interior renovation modernized the liturgical space. This monument thus embodies almost four centuries of religious and community history, from its modest 17th century chapel to its central role in the independent parish of Praz-sur-Arly.

The construction of 1881 is part of a post-revolutionary context in which local communities take over their cultural heritage. The pseudo-Roman style chosen reflects a desire to return to Christian sources, while adapting to the technical and financial means of parishioners. The collective maintenance of the building, from bell tower to presbytery, illustrates the long-term commitment of the inhabitants to the preservation of their place of worship, characteristic of the Savoyard villages of the time.

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