First concrete church. That is what makes the \u00c9glise de la Sainte-Famille in Lyon so special. This Art Deco building stands as a testament to faith and community. It is located in the Croix-Luizet district of Villeurbanne.
The \u00c9glise de la Sainte-Famille has a rich history. It begins with Abb\u00e9 Joseph Bordes. He created a chapel for the growing Italian Catholic community. This community needed a place to worship. The Beaumont family donated land for this purpose. The community built a simple chapel. They also added a presbytery and other buildings forming the Cit\u00e9 de la Sainte-Famille.
By 1926, the community needed a larger church. Louis Mortamet, a student of Tony Garnier, designed the new \u00c9glise de la Sainte-Famille. Mortamet drew inspiration from Dom Bellot. Bellot was a Benedictine architect. The design included a bell tower. Unfortunately, it was never completed due to lack of funds.
The \u00c9glise de la Sainte-Famille was consecrated in 1927. It was consecrated by the Bishop of Grenoble. At the time, the church belonged to the Diocese of Grenoble. It did not become part of the Lyon diocese until 1954.
Despite its active community, the \u00c9glise de la Sainte-Famille faced challenges. It closed in 1975 due to a dispute between residents and developers. Fortunately, the community rallied. The Soci\u00e9t\u00e9 Immobili\u00e8re de la Cit\u00e9 de la Sainte-Famille helped reopen the church in 1995. The church bell was named Marie-Joseph. It was recast in 1938 from copper donated by locals. It was restored to its place in the bell tower. Since 1996, the church has hosted a sacred art biennale.
The architecture of the \u00c9glise de la Sainte-Famille is notable. Its concrete construction allowed for a large open space. Transverse concrete arches support the brick vault. Narrow aisles flank the nave providing circulation. A large rose window graces the facade. The unfinished bell tower was planned to have a conical spire. Louis Mortamet completed a similar spire in Saint-Charles de Serin in 1952.
Georges D\u00e9c\u00f4te designed the stained glass windows. He also created windows for the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvi\u00e8re. J. Mayosson created mural paintings and mosaics. Georges Salendre sculpted Saint Roch. Some parishioners found Salendre’s style too austere. A more traditional statue was added later.
The \u00c9glise de la Sainte-Famille stands as a symbol. It represents the strength and dedication of its community. It also stands as a reminder of the vibrant Italian heritage in Lyon. The church faced many challenges. Yet it remains a place of worship and a cultural landmark. It is a testament to faith, art, and community spirit. So take a moment to appreciate this unique building. Note the blend of architectural styles and rich history it embodies.