Church Saint Bernard-de-Menthon

Church Saint Bernard-de-Menthon

Ferrette, France

Ferrette

Ferrette

         (Link 1:)  Ferrette, France

"The church is Ferrette one of the oldest churches in Alsace. Indeed, the base of the great tower which still forms the main body of the choir of this church may have been one of many square towers built by Rome in the fourth century... 

                                                   Church Bernard-de-Menthon

"...in 1053 and founded their priory near the old tower. Soon the weep holes and loopholes of the tower disappeared and Catholic worship was officially established there.

"Towards the end of the twelfth century, ...  A hole was drilled in the big tower before which a nave was built. In the thirteenth century a Gothic choir was opened on the opposite side of the tower. It is of Gothic style primitive or lancets as evidenced arc tip used in windows that are tall, narrow and twinned. The columns are also slender, alone or grouped and foothills outside are essential to the strength of the work: so for 700 years nothing has moved.

Sanctuary

" By the end of the fourteenth century, the church appears again too small and heavy and massive nave is built as worship but also, if necessary, to defense.

Side Altar

"In 1728, the only entrance to the church which was at the right aid to the upper town is walled and a new entry in the axis of the nave replaces it with a double door protected by a simple porch. In 1792, the ferrettiens transported two of the three bells foundry Belfort to make cannons. After the revolution, the church and the priory were declared national property and the church was closed until 1804 when it was returned to worship.

Front Altar

"From June 1906 to August 1910, several

 projects were proposed and a final draft was agreed in July 1911 for an amount of 114,000 marks. The old nave is then completely demolished and there remains only the tower and the choir classified MH since 1902.

                                               Balcony and Rear of Sanctuary

"The new neo-Gothic nave is higher and longer than the former and the architect managed to harmoniously integrate with the tower and the choir. A large arch separates the warhead of the great tower. It consists of five bays whose cornerstone has an armorial shield recalling the historical past of Ferrette.

"To regulate the proportions of the new nave with the old tower was raised it 6 m and by that also the belfry, but still maintain the roof gable. " (Link 2.)

"Saint Bernard of Menthon, C.R.S.A., (or Bernard of Montjoux) was the founder of the famed hospiceand monastery which has served travelers for nearly a millennium as a refuge in the most dangerous part of the Swiss Alps.^[The famous breed of St. Bernard dogswere named after the hospice as they were bred to help on rescue missions during winter storms." (Link 3.)

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Photos: Taken in June 2018 with an Iphone by Richard Wilson while living and working in Basel Switzerland.

Link 1: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrette
Link 2: https://www.france-voyage.com/cities-towns/ferrette-26981/church-saint-bernard-menthon-16580.htm
Link 3:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_of_Menthon

                                                                  Prayer

God, be with persecuted Christians throughout the world. Amen (SW.)