Sainte-Croix-Vallée-Française (Lozère)
The Boissonnade chapel, dedicated to the Virgin Mary in 1063, became a Protestant temple around 1560.
The oldest edifice in Lozère
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La Boissonnade temple in Sainte-Croix-Vallée-Française (Lozère) © O. d'Haussonville
The small roman style chapel, built in black Cévennes granite, comprised a nave and apse ; its slated roof was topped by a small steeple with a bell. It was already used for Protestant worship in the 16th century.
At the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, the temple was returned to the Catholics. The steeple was dismantled. The chapel was burnt down by the Camisards during a retaliation raid. The walls and vault remained standing.
In 1796, the church was sold as national property. After the Concordat was signed, it was attributed to Protestant worship. It is the oldest building in the Lozère region.
Sainte-Croix-Vallée-Française (Lozère)
Sainte-Croix-Vallée-Française
Bibliography
- Books
- DUBIEF Henri et POUJOL Jacques, La France protestante, Histoire et Lieux de mémoire, Max Chaleil éditeur, Montpellier, 1992, rééd. 2006, p. 450
- LAURENT René, Promenade à travers les temples de France, Les Presses du Languedoc, Millau, 1996, p. 520
- REYMOND Bernard, L’architecture religieuse des protestants, Labor et Fides, Genève, 1996
Associated notes
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The Edict of Nantes (1598)
This was Henri IV’s major achievement : the terms of this edict ensured the peaceful coexistence of Catholics and Protestants and brought a stop to all hostilities in France after 36 years... -
The war of the Camisards (1702-1710)
The « Cévennes war » was the name given in the 18th century to the guerrilla warfare that devastated the Cévennes in the early years of the century and tried to re-establish... -
Protestant temples : from the 16th century to the Revocation
In 16th century France Reformed services were held in former Catholic churches and in new buildings. -
The architecture of 17th century churches
In the 17th century, Protestant religious architecture flourished all over France. Unfortunately few churches survive today – a large number were destroyed after only a short time. -
Sainte-Croix-de-Caderle (Gard)
An early roman chapel that became a priory in 1420 was used for Protestant worship in the 16th century.