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Origin and history

The simultaneous church Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Hohwiller is a religious building located in the commune of Soultz-sous-Forêts, in the department of Bas-Rhin (Great East region). It is distinguished by its status as simultaneum, that is, a place of worship shared between the Catholic and Protestant communities, a rare feature in France. The church is also remarkable for its murals, some of which potentially date back to the 12th and 15th centuries, although their primitive condition has been altered as restorations progressed.

Classified as historical monuments since 1898, and again registered in 1997, this church bears witness to a complex history, marked by architectural and artistic superpositions. The Gothic choir, decorated with frescoes partially restored in 1926 by Auguste Dubois de Gresswiller, contrasts with more recent elements such as the bell tower and the nave, rebuilt in the 19th century. These changes reflect the successive adaptations of the building to the needs of both denominations.

The origin of the church could go back to a much older era, with some indications suggesting that it occupies the site of a Roman temple. This assumption, although not confirmed, reinforces the historical interest of the site. The biblical scenes painted on its walls illustrate its continuous role as a place of spiritual transmission, despite denominational divisions. René Suss's 1979 study of Protestant and Catholic dynamics at Hohwiller highlights this unique cohabitation.

The murals, some of which were originally dated 1491, received special attention for their heritage value. Their restoration in the 20th century allowed the reconstruction of missing frescoes, such as that of the church of Niederbetshdorf, thus revealing regional artistic links. Today, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church remains a symbol of religious coexistence in Alsace, while embodying the historical strata of this border region.

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