Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of the Sacred Heart of Reims was built between 1956 and 1959 in the working-class district of Clairmarais, under the leadership of architects André Gaston and Yves Michel. This project is part of an industrial and urban development context, as the parish was founded in 1908 by Cardinal Luçon to meet the spiritual needs of a growing population. Several temporary chapels had preceded the building, some of which were abandoned.

The church, blessed on October 25, 1959 by Georges Béjot, is distinguished by its reinforced concrete structure and its organization on two levels. The lower level, originally dedicated to parish halls and a crypt, was transformed in 2020 to host the Simon-Marq workshop, a company specialized in stained glass and sacred art since 1640. This redevelopment marks a turning point in its use, from worship to the preservation of artisanal know-how.

Outside, the 32-metre bell tower, topped by a wrought iron cross, and the porch decorated with a polychrome wall painting made in 1961 by Hubert de Sainte Marie, highlight his architectural identity. Inside, the rectangular nave, designed for 900 seats, is illuminated by windows of Charles Marq, evoking the five wounds of Christ. These artistic elements reflect devotion to the Sacred Heart, the central theme of the building.

The desecralization of the church in December 2020 allowed for a heritage conversion, integrating the Simon-Marq workshop, while preserving its link with sacred art. This choice illustrates a contemporary tendency to reinvent places of worship for cultural or artisanal uses, while valuing their history.

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