Église Saint-François-de-Sales

What if I told you that the church standing before us, the Église Saint-François-de-Sales, has a rather dramatic past? Now, don’t let its impressive neo-Romanesque facade fool you. This house of worship has seen its fair share of turmoil. The Église Saint-François-de-Sales wasn’t always here. Originally, the parish was located on Rue Prévost-Martin. A chapel was built there in 1870 under the watchful eye of Bishop Gaspard Mermillod. As the congregation grew, however, the chapel could barely contain its faithful. They knew they needed a new home. That’s how they ended up here, on Rue des Voisins, in a brand-new church built between 1902 and 1904. Designed by Edouard Chevallaz, the new Église Saint-François-de-Sales boasted three naves and a towering stone bell tower. The interior was just as magnificent, featuring stunning stained-glass windows created by Enneveux and Bonnet. The church became known for its intricate carvings, especially those adorning the capitals, crafted by the talented Xavier Sartorio. Over the years, the church underwent several transformations. The most dramatic one took place between 1959 and 1963. It was a complete interior makeover, overseen by Georges Lacôte, the former cantonal architect. During this renovation, artist Jérémie Falquet added his touch by creating exquisite mosaics on the three entrance portals. In more recent times, the church faced another upheaval. In 2008, the entire team of brothers from the Community of Saint John, who had been administering the church since 1985, was asked to leave due to a scandal. They were replaced by four new brothers. Despite its turbulent past, the Église Saint-François-de-Sales remains a sanctuary for many, a beacon of hope and resilience in the heart of Geneva.