Timeline

Origin and history

The Saint-Apollinaire church of Meximieux is mentioned for the first time in 1183 on its current location. The present Gothic building, including its lateral chapels, dates from the 15th century. In 1515, it was erected as a collegiate body, demonstrating its religious and architectural importance in the region. Its history reflects political and social upheavals, especially during the French Revolution.

During the Revolution (from 1793 onwards), the church was transformed into a temple dedicated to the worship of Reason and Supreme Being, interrupted only in 1803 with the return of Catholic worship. The bell tower, destroyed during this period, was rebuilt in two phases, in 1820 and 1828. These changes illustrate the tensions between revolutionary power and religious heritage, as well as subsequent efforts to restore heritage.

In the 19th century, the church underwent major enlargements: a new sacristy and the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament (north side) were added in the 1840s. In 1905, a fire damaged part of the building, requiring repairs. In the 1960s, interior renovations modernized space, while preserving historical elements such as 15th century wooden stalls, classified since 1905.

The interior also houses a 17th-century chalice, classified in 2011, and a commemorative plaque honouring the soldiers of Meximieux who died during the First World War. These elements underline the church's dual role: place of worship and collective memory. Its entrance leads to Blonay Square, where a statue of the Virgin faces it, strengthening its anchor in the urban landscape.

Historical sources, such as the work of Hervé Chopin, highlight his status as a secular collegiate in the former diocese of Lyon. These archival and archaeological studies (including the Collegiate Base of the University of Limoges) document its architectural evolution and spatial organization, from the Middle Ages to the contemporary era.

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