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All French heritage classified by regions, departments and cities

  2. Patrimoine
  3. Bretagne
  4. Ille-et-Vilaine
  5. 35400 Saint-Malo

  6. Saint John the Evangelist Church of Saint-Servan

Saint John the Evangelist Church of Saint-Servan en Ille-et-Vilaine

Ille-et-Vilaine

Saint John the Evangelist Church of Saint-Servan

    1 Boulevard Léonce Demalvilain
    35400 Saint-Malo
Photo de Saint John the Evangelist Church of Saint-Servan
Crédit photo

Timeline

Époque contemporaine
2000
12 janvier 1964
Laying the first stone
27 décembre 1964
Blessing of the Church
1987
First restoration of the fresco
2014
50th Anniversary Celebration
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Key figures

René Blin - Architect Designer of the church inspired by Bedouin tents.
Geoffroy Dauvergne - Painter Author of the outside fresco (1963).
Étienne Plassoux - First parish priest (1964-1969) Celebrated the first Mass in 1964.
Paul-Joseph-Marie Gouyon - Archbishop of Rennes Blessed the church in 1964.
Patrick Gallais - Curé since 2014 Inducted on the 50th anniversary.
Jean Fréour - Sculptor Author of the statue of Saint John the Evangelist.

Origin and history

Saint-Jean-l'Évangéliste de Saint-Servan church, located in Saint-Malo in the Bellevue district, was designed in 1963 by local architect René Blin. Inspired by a trip to the Sahel and the prologue of the Gospel according to John ("He planted his tent in the heart of us"), Blin opted for a triangular structure evoking a Bedouin tent. This choice symbolized the proximity of the place of worship to the inhabitants, in an area in full urban expansion.

The first stone was laid on 12 January 1964 by Cardinal Roques, Archbishop of Rennes, in the presence of local dignitaries such as the mayor of Saint-Servan, Mr. Huet, and architect Blin. The church was blessed on December 27, 1964 by Bishop Gouyon, with an inaugural Mass celebrated by Father Plassoux, the first parish priest. The exterior fresco, made by Geoffroy Dauvergne in 1963, depicts biblical scenes and the seven sacraments, including even the painter's self-portrait in the wedding scene.

The interior architecture is distinguished by a 0.5 metre elevation floor, a floor heating, and a 40 m2 lantern providing natural lighting. The bell tower, detached from the building, takes the form of a three-sail mast housing three bells named in homage to local saints. In 2014, works marked the 50th anniversary: restoration of the fresco, removal of the original entrance airlock, and installation of protections to preserve the works.

The crypt, accessible under the choir, can accommodate a hundred faithful and houses a wooden Christ. Adjacent parish spaces include modular rooms and a presbytery. Among the notable works are a statue of Saint John the Evangelist by Jean Fréour and a Virgin with the Child by Victor Feltrin. The church, dependent on the parish of Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, remains an active place of worship and artistic heritage.

The parish priests have succeeded each other since 1964, with notable figures such as Étienne Plassoux (1964-1969) or Patrick Gallalais (since 2014). The fresco, restored on several occasions (in particular in 1987 and 2014), has been the subject of studies and publications, highlighting its post-Cubist style and its roots in local history. The bells, visible without sound, and the slate frame of Co reinforce the originality of this 20th century monument.

External links

Page Wikipedia