Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Sollies-Pont, located in the Var in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, replaces an old church built between 1661 and 1668, destroyed several times because of its proximity to the Gapeau River. This first building had itself succeeded a medieval chapel, Saint-Victor (1617-1670), which had become too small for the growing population. Geological instability and recurrent flooding motivated his replacement by a stronger building, whose plans were originally designed by Joseph Pomet in 1724.

The works, begun in 1726, were first abandoned in 1729 before being taken over by the Toulouse architect Pierre Sénès, then completed by his brother Charles in 1734. The church, in Provencal Baroque style, adopts a basilical plan without transept, with a stone façade and a nave illuminated by large windows. Its atypical orientation (choir to the northwest) and its bell tower, rebuilt to the right after several collapses, reflect the adaptations imposed by the site. In 1793, during the siege of Toulon, she was looted and turned into a barracks, losing all her original furniture.

The 19th century marked an artistic revival for the building. The marble master altar of Carrara (1818), the walnut woodwork (1825), and five major canvases (including three of Patriti, 1858) now adorn the choir. The Joseph Callinet organ (1846), classified as a historical monument in 1984, illustrates the evolution towards a romantic style, while the baptismal fonts (1834), carved by M. Roux, bear witness to local know-how. The contemporary frescoes of Fernand Belmonte (XX century), including a monumental 145 m2 above the choir, and the stained glass windows of Paul Montfollet (1958) complete this eclectic ensemble.

The church also houses notable historical elements, such as the tomb of Jean-Joseph Rigouard (1735-1800), a local priest who became constitutional bishop of Var in 1791. Its furniture, reconstituted after revolutionary destruction, offers a rare stylistic unit, mixing 18th century pieces (like a painting of the Holy Family) and modern creations. The lateral extensions, including the parish house (1780) and the chapel Saint-Dominique, reflect functional adaptations over the centuries.

Listed among the major religious buildings of the Var, Saint John the Baptist Church remains an active place of worship, animated by the Missionary Fraternity Mary Mother of the Apostles. His Sunday Mass, broadcast on national television in 2019, and pastoral activities (such as the Alpha Journey) make it a dynamic spiritual pole. Recent restorations, such as that of the large fresco in 2012, highlight the contemporary attachment to the preservation of this Provencal Baroque heritage.

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