Timeline

Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The church of St.Odile, originally dedicated to St.Georges before 1862, is located in Wintzfelden, a hamlet of Soultzmatt in the Upper Rhine. Its architectural history spans several centuries: a bell tower-porch of the 4th quarter of the 12th century, a 14th century choir, and a baroque portal added in 1778. The current building, rebuilt in 1859, incorporates these ancient elements while adopting a transverse orientation to the original nave. The Romanesque tower, with its corner chains and billet frieze, as well as the Gothic choir with a flat bedside, bear witness to these successive periods. An engraved date ("1702") on the bell tower could correspond to a restoration.

The Baroque portal of 1778, in yellow sandstone decorated with rock cartridges, contrasts with the Romanesque and Gothic twin bays on the upper floors. The reconstruction of 1859, led by Agent Dicker, used stones from the neighbouring convent of Schwartzenthann, with the participation of the inhabitants for the transport of materials. The church, a branch of the parish of Soultzmatt since 1336, was consecrated to Saint Odile in 1862. Its inscription in historical monuments in 1995 protects a heteroclite complex, where interior pilasters, glyphs and rosaces are associated with medieval elements.

Inside, the decor combines classical influences (pilasters, cornice with roses) and re-uses of local materials, such as red and white stones reminiscent of the portal of Murbach Abbey. The gable of the choir has a cross opening, while the nave, rebuilt in the 19th century, adopts windows in full hanger. The building thus illustrates the evolution of architectural styles in Alsace, between medieval heritage, Baroque transformations and modern adaptations.

The exact location of the church at 3 A Rue des Vosges in Wintzfelden remains subject to poor cartographic accuracy (level 5/10). Owned by the municipality of Soultzmatt, it is part of the religious heritage of Haut-Rhin, alongside other monuments such as those of the departmental list. Its history also reflects local dynamics, between community reconstruction and reuse of materials from neighbouring sites, such as the Schwartzenthann convent.

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