“A church that’s practically brand new?” you ask, raising an eyebrow. Well, new is relative. Église Saint-Martin might have been built in the 1960s, but its history is far older. Picture this: a small village church, dwarfed by the burgeoning population of Onex. That was the scene in the mid-20th century. The old 18th-century church, bursting at the seams, simply couldn’t handle the crowd. So, in a bold move, architects Virginio and Malnati replaced it with this striking circular structure.
Église Saint-Martin, with its concrete walls and modern design, is a far cry from its traditional predecessor. But look closer. A vibrant stained-glass band by Jacques Wasem encircles the interior, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the modern liturgical silverwork by Dolores Blasco. Adjacent to the main space, discover the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, where another stunning stained-glass window depicts the church’s namesake, Saint Martin. And just when you thought this modern marvel couldn’t get any more unique, a freestanding bell tower was added in 1998, its three bells ringing out across the neighborhood. Église Saint-Martin is a testament to the evolution of faith and architecture, a harmonious blend of past and present.