Chapelle Saint-Joseph

Hidden within the bustling heart of Caluire-et-Cuire lies the Chapelle Saint-Joseph. It stands as a testament to faith and resilience. Let’s step back in time to 1870. The Brothers of the Christian Schools, the original occupants of the building that now houses city hall, were abruptly evicted. Their home was declared communal property and turned into a barracks. This injustice, however, would pave the way for something beautiful. The Brothers, having been compensated for their wrongful expulsion, used the funds to build the Chapelle Saint-Joseph. Construction began in 1885, led by the architect Louis Sainte-Marie-Perrin. Imagine the scene. Workers bustling, stones being laid, and the dream of a sacred space taking shape. The symbolic cornerstone, laid on May 31, 1885, by Monseigneur Dubuis, still faces the altar of the Sainte-Vierge. By February 1888, the Chapelle Saint-Joseph stood complete, consecrated months earlier by Archbishop Foulon. The chapelle’s dimensions, 20 meters high, 20 meters long, and 16 meters wide, were dictated by the constraints of its location. It’s nestled between the main street and the adjacent main building. Inside, the artistry is breathtaking. Gaspard Poncet and Mazerand adorned the walls with their paintings, most notably those of the Stations of the Cross. The same Gaspard Poncet, known for his work at Saint-Nizier de Lyon and Notre-Dame de Fourviu00e8re, designed the mosaics for the stained glass. Lucien Bu00e9gule brought these designs to life in 1886. These vibrant windows depict the Passion of Christ, with female figures on the north side and male figures on the south. The sculptor Vial’s intricate work graces the cornices, capitals, and pediments. Paul-u00c9mile Millefaut crafted the three sculpted groups in the choir from white marble. At the heart of the choir is the trapezoidal, red altar, a creation of Johannis Rey. It was designed by Pierre Bossan and made from red granite from the quarries of Oullins. Its bas-reliefs depict the sacrificial lamb, surrounded by the tetramorph: the winged ox for Saint Luke, the eagle for Saint John, the lion for Saint Mark, and the angel for Saint Matthew. The Chapelle Saint-Joseph is more than just a building. It’s a symbol of the Brothers’ unwavering spirit, a testament to the power of faith, and a beacon of beauty in the heart of Caluire-et-Cuire.