Église Notre-Dame-de-Pontmain de Bagnolet

Welcome to the touristic guide of Notre-Dame-de-Pontmain church in Bagnolet, Seine-Saint-Denis. This Catholic church is located at the corner of Rue du Lieutenant-Thomas and Rue Robespierre in the Coutures neighborhood. It is dedicated to Notre-Dame de Pontmain and is part of the Saint-Denis diocese. History: In 1926, Abbe Bethune, a disciple of Father Lhande who wrote "Le Christ dans la banlieue," decided to collect funds to build a new church in the heart of Bagnolet as part of the Chantiers du Cardinal project. The construction of the church took place from 1927 to 1931, based on the plans of Augustin Courcoux. During this time, the municipal government became communist, and Bagnolet was known as the "banlieue rouge." Despite this, the Catholic Church attempted to retain its working-class population, which had mostly adopted this new ideology. The church was consecrated in 1931 and established as a parish church, even though it was not yet completed. Unfortunately, it was severely damaged during Allied bombings in 1944, along with the presbytery, and was only rehabilitated in 1947. Its reconstruction to its original state was completed in 1962. Architecture: The church is built in a neo-Romanesque style, with a nave and a single left aisle. On the right side, there is a square bell tower topped with an octagonal spire with a hexagonal sloping roof. The walls are covered with alternating bricks and stones. The stained glass windows were created by master glassmaker J. Pelletier. Visiting: Visitors can enter the church through the main entrance on Rue du Lieutenant-Thomas. Once inside, you will be struck by the grandeur of the nave and the beautiful stained glass windows. The church is open to visitors during mass times, which are posted on the church's website. Visitors are asked to dress modestly and respectfully. Conclusion: Notre-Dame-de-Pontmain church is a beautiful example of neo-Romanesque architecture in Bagnolet. Its history is closely tied to the political and social changes that took place in the area during the 20th century. A visit to this church is a must for anyone interested in religious history or architecture.

Location: Bagnolet

Source: Wikimedia