A humble beginning. That’s how the story of Église Sainte-Madeleine unfolds. Initially a simple church. Built to serve a growing community.
The Église Sainte-Madeleine stands before you. A testament to faith and perseverance. Its history is woven into the very fabric of Villeurbanne. A history marked by both triumphs and setbacks. Initially built in 1836 it proved insufficient. The burgeoning industrial town needed a larger space for worship.
The original structure. Inadequate for the swelling population. It succumbed to the ravages of the 1856 Rhone flood. This event damaged it irreparably. It necessitated a complete rebuild. The project began in 1864. Funding proved challenging. The Franco-Prussian war further delayed the construction. It finally opened in 1873. Smaller than initially envisioned. Yet it served the community.
The 20th century brought further growth. Factories sprang up around the church. The Église Sainte-Madeleine found itself once again too small. A new expansion project started in 1943 but was halted by the war. Finally in 1967 it was completed. The architect René Genin cleverly expanded the existing structure. This retained the original neo-Romanesque style. The renovation increased capacity from 400 to 800. Cardinal Renard consecrated the new altar.
The stained-glass windows. A stunning feature. Created by Luc and Pascal Barbier. These are non-figurative. They offer a stunning gradation of color. Violet in the narthex. Red in the choir. Blues and yellows in the nave. Three figurative windows depict the Saint Sacrament the Virgin and Sainte Madeleine.
Inside you find the choir. Remodeled in 1967. It reflects the liturgical reforms of Vatican II. The altar now sits centrally. Not at the back as was traditional.
The Église Sainte-Madeleine. It stands as a symbol of faith. It reflects the resilience of the Villeurbanne community. It persevered through floods wars and growth. It adapted to changing needs. It remains a place of worship and community gathering. A vibrant part of Lyon’s rich tapestry.