Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Saint-Maurice d'Orelle church, located in the hamlet of Orelle en Savoie, is a Baroque monument whose history dates back to the 15th century. The first church, destroyed by an avalanche in 1412, was rebuilt in 1430 in the centre of the village under the patronage of Saint Maurice d'Agaune. This saint, associated with the Theban Legion, is represented in the building alongside Aurélien de Lyon, the toponymic reference of the commune.

In 1580 the bell tower was built, and in 1643 a fire ravaged the nearby presbytery without reaching the church. The altarpieces, like those of Notre-Dame-de-la-Pitié and Saint-Antoine, carved in 1662 by Jean d'Albert d'Orelle, bear witness to local baroque art. During the Revolution, the parish's assets were sold and then returned after the Terror, thanks in particular to an act of mutual assistance signed in 1807.

The church underwent major renovations in the 19th century: in 1831, the master-retable was restored by Joseph Gilardi, and Bishop Billiet greeted his beauty in 1837, ranking it among the most remarkable in the diocese. In 1895 the painter Joachim Maggia recolored the paintings, and in 1957 the vault of the nave was renovated. In the 21st century, the facades were recreated in 2005, and the unique tabernacle in Maurienne, with a rotating door, was restored in 2011.

Interior combines Gothic elements (chœur) and Baroque elements (nef, retables). The high altar of 1656, decorated with statues of Saint Maurice and Aurélien de Limoges, dominates the space. Four secondary altars, including the Rosary altar, enrich the decoration. The tabernacle, a 17th century baroque work, symbolizes the Old and the New Covenant with figures of Moses and a saint.

Today, the church, integrated into the parish of Saint-Michel-en-Maurienne, welcomes Masses and ceremonies. The Orelle Heritage Association organizes visits, highlighting this religious and artistic heritage, a witness to local history for more than six centuries.

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