Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Saint-Firmin, located in the hamlet of Saint-Firmin-lès-Crotoy (Comune du Crotoy, Somme), is mentioned for the first time in 1197 in a charter of the chapter of Amiens under the name of the church of Berteaucourt-lès-Rue. This medieval document lists the churches dependent on the cathedral, including that of Berteaucourt, revealing its seniority and its anchoring in the local religious network. A watercolour of Oswald Macqueron (1850), preserved in Abbeville, attests to its original appearance, with a chalk nave with Romanesque openings, now extinct.

The current structure is the result of major changes after the 1901 fire. The nave, rebuilt in brick in a neo-Gothic style, was raised to align with the roof of the choir, while the sandstone tower (16th century) and its bulb belfry were preserved. This tower houses a bell melted in 1517, reflecting the longevity of the site. The stained glass windows, dated from the 1870s, include a gift from Mayor Vasseur-Delong, and represent holy figures such as Firmin d'Amiens, the first bishop of the city.

The building preserves traditional cultural furniture (sculpted master altar, pulpit to preach, stone baptismal fonts) as well as 18th century tombstones. The arches of the vault carry engravings of the instruments of the Passion, while the stained glass of the choir celebrates Saint Firmin, Saint John the Baptist and the Virgin Mary. The brick reconstruction replaced the primitive chalk parts, as confirmed by Macqueron's watercolour, illustrating the architectural evolution of the site.

Saint-Firmin-lès-Crotoy, formerly Berteaucourt-lès-Rue, reflects the religious history of Picardia and the Bay of Somme, marked by links with the cathedral of Amiens and the transformations related to fires and restorations. The church today embodies a heritage combining medieval heritage, modern reconstructions and local Christian symbols.

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