Église Saint-Joseph de Buzenval

Amidst the gentle slopes of Rueil-Malmaison, a beacon of faith stands tall: the Église Saint-Joseph de Buzenval. This unassuming structure, built in 1924, holds a story as warm and enduring as the bricks that form its walls. These very bricks, generously gifted by the owner of the nearby Garches brickworks, whisper tales of community and resilience. Église Saint-Joseph de Buzenval quickly became a spiritual anchor for a growing community. In its early years, the church witnessed the arrival of various groups, shaping the area’s unique character. From the 1880s, brickmakers, mainly from Belgium, settled between the Buzenval and Fouilleuse chateaux. The 1902 opening of the racecourse brought English jockeys and stable boys. Houses sprung up, attracting masons, plumbers, and carpenters from Italy, Spain, and beyond. This spontaneous immigration caught the attention of Abbé Basler, the first chaplain at St. Nicolas School. He recognized the need for a unifying force, a place where these diverse individuals could find solace and shared purpose. The Église Saint-Joseph de Buzenval became that place. The church’s simple design, with its long-pan roof and wooden bell tower added around 1935, speaks to a focus on function and accessibility. It wasn’t about ornate embellishments, but about creating a welcoming space for all. Interestingly, Église Saint-Joseph de Buzenval also served as the parish for Vincent Serralda, a figure who would later become vicar of Saint-Nicolas-du-Chardonnet church in Paris and close to the Society of Saint Pius X. In the late 1990s, another notable figure, Didier Berthet, the future bishop of Saint-Dié, served as the church’s priest. These individuals, each with their own unique perspectives, further enriched the tapestry of the church’s history. The Église Saint-Joseph de Buzenval stands as a testament to the power of community, built not only with bricks and mortar but with the shared hopes and dreams of those it served.