Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Saint-Laurent church of Mouthier-Haute-Pierre was built in 1390 at the site of an earlier building, on the edge of the cemetery of the local priory. This first building marks the beginning of a rich architectural history, typical of the rural churches of Franche-Comté. The lack of details about the early church leaves mysteries on its exact origins, but its replacement in the 14th century reflects the growing importance of the religious site in the region.

In the 16th century, the church experienced two major phases of enlargement, financed in part by the gifts of the cardinal of Granvelle, then prior of the monastery. The work of 1521 and 1542 transformed the building, including the addition of the choir and the completion of the tower-clocher in 1581, with a tuff stone arrow culminating at 43 metres. These changes reflect the influence of local patrons and the evolution of the liturgical needs of the community.

A significant overhaul took place in 1747, with the destruction of the Gothic windows of the nave and the unification of the roof covering nave and bottom-sides. These changes, although less documented, illustrate the stylistic and practical adaptations of rural churches in the 17th and 18th centuries. The building was finally listed as a historical monument in 1926, then restored in 1957, preserving its exceptional architectural heritage and furniture.

The church furniture, partially classified, includes remarkable elements such as a 17th century altarpiece, a sculpted pulpit to preach (from the St. Peter's church destroyed in the Revolution), and paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries. Among the most precious pieces are a statue-reliquary of the Virgin with Child (1669) by Jean-Baptiste Thouverey, and a 15th century calvary, testimonies of the artistic and devotee richness of the region.

Linked to the parish of Ornans (diocese of Besançon), the St. Lawrence church today embodies a major religious and historical heritage of the Haute Vallée de la Loue. Its architecture, combining Gothic and Renaissance additions, as well as its classified furniture, make it a must-see place to understand the evolution of the sacred buildings in Franche-Comté.

External links