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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Sainte-Marie-Madeleine church of Massy, dedicated to St.Madeleine, finds its origins in the 13th century, although a primitive church dedicated to St.Germain existed in the 9th century, linked to the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Located on the right bank of the Bièvre, in the city centre, it was partially destroyed during religious wars, keeping only its medieval bell tower. The nave collapsed later, probably due to problems of foundations, and was rebuilt in the 18th century.

In June 1944, the church was severely damaged by allied bombings at Massy Yard, leaving only the 13th century bell tower standing. Between 1957 and 1959, a modern nave was built next door by architect Pierre Pinsard, marking a fusion between ancient heritage and contemporary architecture. The bell tower, classified as a historic monument in 1920, was restored in 2011, financed by the state and the commune.

Father Jean Lebeuf mentions in the 18th century the presence in the choir of fragments of tombs dating from the 13th and 14th centuries, including that of a local lord buried in 1290. These remains bear witness to the historic anchoring of the building in Massy's religious and seigneurial life. Today, the church combines medieval heritage and modern reconstruction, symbolizing the resilience of the local heritage.

The 2011 works, with a total cost of 127,000 euros, illustrate the ongoing commitment to the preservation of this monument, including the bell tower and a span of the lower side, which have been protected since 1920. The current address, 29 rue de la Division Leclerc, places the church in the heart of the city, near the old square of Old Clocher.

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