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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Gérand (or Church of Christ-Roi) is a Catholic church located in the Palace, on Belle-Île-en-Mer (Morbihan). Dedicated to Saint Gérand, hermit of the fifth century, it replaced a first building built between 1677 and 1684, destroyed after a fire in 1894. The present Gothic-style church was erected in 1905 according to the plans of Canon Jean-Marie Abgrall, in shale and granite.

In the 1930s, Mauméjean workshops produced the Art Deco interior mosaics (blue and gold tones) and the 17 stained glass windows illustrating the New Testament. The organ, built by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll in 1864 and offered to the parish in 1875, has been classified since 1988. Four 18th-century statues, inscribed in historical monuments, come from the old church.

The arrow of the bell tower is added in 1992, year of the restoration of the organ. The entire building is listed as a historical monument by decree of 31 July 2015, also benefiting from the 20th century Heritage label. Its interior, entirely decorated with mosaics, and its furniture bear witness to an artistic and religious heritage.

The church also houses elements inherited from its past, such as the statues of saints (Isidore, Peter, Yves, Louis), who survived the demolition of 1904. Its hall architecture, with three naves with six spans, and its slate arrow make it a remarkable example of the Breton heritage of the 20th century.

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