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Origin and history

The temple of the rue de Maguelone, inaugurated in 1870, is an emblematic Protestant building in Montpellier. It replaces several earlier temples, including the Great Temple destroyed in 1682 by order of Louis XIV, after the revocation of the edict of Nantes. This place symbolizes the resilience of the local Protestant community, which had to meet clandestinely for decades before returning to an official area of worship.

The construction of the present temple is part of the major urban works carried out in Montpellier in the 19th century, inspired by the Haussmannian transformations of Paris. Protestant mayor Jules Pagézy, an active member of the Presbyteral Council, plays a key role in this project. The land, acquired rue de Maguelone, is chosen for its strategic location in the new urban plan of the city.

The financing of the temple comes from local subscriptions, from the sale of the old temple of the Cordeliers (used since 1803), and from State and city aid. An architectural contest was launched in 1862, but it was finally architect Louis Corvetto, a Protestant and jury member, who realized the plans. The initial cost, estimated at 200,000 francs, far exceeds the budget to reach 350,000 francs.

Inaugurated on 18 March 1870, the temple underwent some later changes, such as the suppression of an unstable bell tower in 1885. An organ was installed there in 1893. The building, registered as a historical monument in 2003, remains an architectural and historical testimony of the Protestant presence in Montpellier, with a sober facade and an interior adapted to the cultural and community needs.

The history of the temple is also marked by local Protestant figures, such as pastors Daniel Encontre and Honoré Michel, who revived parish life after the Revolution. Social works (schools, retirement homes) were created in the 19th century, reflecting the community's commitment to Montpellieran life. The present temple perpetuates this tradition, always welcoming faithful and associative activities.

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