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Origin and history

The Protestant temple of Montivilliers is a religious building built in 1787, following the Tolerance Edition promulgated by Louis XVI. Located outside the city walls, on land belonging to the Barnage family, it is financed by Pierre Bernage, son of a lace dealer. This stone temple, considered the oldest still in use north of the Cevennes (excluding Alsace-Montbéliard), is distinguished by its architecture Louis XVI and its tiles forming the Huguenote Crosses. It was inaugurated on November 29, 1803 and remains surrounded by its still active Protestant cemetery.

The Protestant community of Montivilliers drew its origins from the Renaissance Reformation, with cults attested as early as 1530. The temple, classified as a historical monument since 19 July 1977, thus embodies almost five centuries of local religious history. Currently being restored, it belongs to the parish of the United Protestant Church of France and retains its role as a place of worship and memory.

The site, still in operation, bears witness to the persistence of Protestantism in Normandy, despite historical vicissitudes. Its inscription in historic monuments underscores its heritage value, both architectural and historical, while ensuring its preservation for future generations.

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