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Church of Châtel-St-Denis

Eglise de Châtel-St-Denis
Chemin de l'Eglise 27
1618 Châtel-St-Denis

Built in the 13th-century Gothic-Ogival style, the church is built entirely of stone with tufa vaulting from the Veveyse riverbed and ribs in Fribourg molasse.

November 19, 1865, opening of studies for extending the old church or building a new one.

Signing of the church plans by Adolphe Fraisse on June 15, 1871. April 15, 1872, blessing of the 1st stone by His Grace Monseigneur l'Evêque. October 9, 1876, patronal feast of St. Denis, consecration of the new church by His Lordship Monseigneur Etienne Marilley, bishop of Lausanne and Geneva, burgher of Châtel St. Denis, distinguished benefactor of his home town and parish. The church was built in the 13th-century Gothic-Ogival style, to the much-appreciated plans and specifications of architect Adolphe Fraisse, a town councillor in Fribourg. The church, built on bedrock, is entirely in stone, with a vault in tuff from the Veveyse riverbed and ribs in molasse from Fribourg.

The cost of the building, including the new cemetery, the expropriation of buildings, the high and vast terraces, the large staircases and all the interior furnishings, is Fr. 440,000 in cash disbursed. The price of the church alone, i.e. the monument detached from the avenues and external accessories, can be estimated at nearly Fr. 400,000, and the donors together reach the figure of Fr. 220,000. Carts and chores carried out free of charge by parishioners amount to Fr. 140,000. The real value of the building and accessories is at least Fr. 600,000.

As the square where the church is located was once occupied by a mound of over 400,000 cubic feet of rock and earth, the earthworks alone cost over Fr. 7,000, not including the numerous cart and hand services provided free of charge. Contractor: M. Meynard.

The main limestone quarry, which supplied all the stone for the exterior, was discovered in Châtel St Denis, at La Riondounaire, when the work began.

The molasse stone for the exterior, towers, doors, windows and belfries came from the Bernese quarries at Ostermundigen.

The interior stone - pillars, columns, ribs, pulpit base and lamp bases - was supplied by the Fribourg quarry.

The general masonry contract was awarded to M. Vuadens, of Blonay. The carpentry, solidly executed, by Mr. Tobie Vauthey, carpenter, in Châtel St Denis. Tinsmithing and roofing to M. Duvoisin in Bulle, assisted by M. Denis Jonneret of Châtel St Denis.

Carpentry was entrusted to M. Lambert and M. Valdmeyer, joiners, in Châtel St Denis.

Before entering the church, we like to contemplate the large white stone statue of St Denis. Its character is one of true majesty and equal goodness. As you cross the threshold of the large portal, your attention is drawn to the tympanum's bas-relief, the work of Vevey sculptor M. Jeunet. The text "Venez tous à moi" ("Come to me, all of you") by the divine Saviour indicates its highly successful subject.

Church dimensions

The exterior length of the church measures 60m; the interior length of the nave, 41m; the width, 22m10.

Choir: total length 13m05, width 10m90.

Interior height of the nave: 18m.

The void is approximately 15,000 cubic metres. Spire height: 70m. The cross that dominates it measures over eight meters. The small grotto beneath the terrace, in the void of the grand staircase, is dedicated to Notre Dame de Lourdes. The statue, donated by a devoted family, is in the finest taste. The rocky tufa stones that surround it were quarried from Vieux Châtel, one or other of which belonged to the old manor's former buildings. Fresh flowers are still tended by pious hands. The grate protecting the grotto was brought from the old church, and the ex-votos reiterate the gratitude of the faithful for the favors obtained in these blessed surroundings.

Building the church

The stalls and confessionals (cat. A listed, very important object) are by Théophile Klem, a Colmar artist, sculptor and director of public works. The main altar, by the same artist, a true master's work in chalky white Connerre stone, was replaced in 1954 by the present altar in polished Laufon stone.

Before 1954, above the simple, artistic oak stalls by Théophile Klem, were draperies painted by Messrs Allé, frères, two artists from the 1900 Paris exhibition, reproducing features of the famous Sainte Chapelle in Paris, as well as reminiscences of the one in Versailles.

The side altars (of the same type as the high altar removed in 1954) were executed by M. Meyerlin.

The altars on the right are dedicated to N.D du Rosaire and St. Louis de Gonzague. The perspective painting behind the N.D du Rosaire altar is the work of an Italian painter (we have no name). On the left are the statues of St. Joseph and St. François Xavier (the statue of St. Joseph now remains, the altar having been demolished).

Made of stone from Connerre, a station between Dijon and Paris, the communion table was donated by the youth of Châtel St Denis in 1875. It was the work of M. Meyerlin, an Alsatian sculptor. In the center were two octagonal rosettes, followed by heptagons, hexagons, pentagons and tetragons.

Connerre stone is found at the pulpit. Molasse forms the base with statues of St Alphonse de Liguori, St Augustine and St Athanasius, bishop. The stone canopy weighs 12 quintals. The statues on the pulpit, side altars and capitals are the work of M. Jeunet, of Vevey.

The Way of the Cross is a reproduction of the bas-reliefs by Jean du Seigneur, a famous French sculptor. It came from the Putois-Crotti workshops in Paris, and was donated by the ladies of the parish for the price of Fr. 3,883.25 at the time.

The clock, from the factory of M. Prêtre de Rosureux, in the Jura region, is an expensive piece of work, costing Fr. 4,000.00 at the time.

There are five bells. In addition to the choir bell, the most recent, which dates from the construction of the church and leaves nothing to be desired, comes from the workshop of Mr. Tréboux, a foundryman in Vevey.

The stained-glass windows in the side aisles, numbering fourteen and the work of Mr. Ch. Wehrli of Zürich, form a gallery of various patron saints and bear the names of benefactors at the bottom. They cost CHF 17,313.70 at the time.

(The choir windows, by Paul Monnier, were modified in 1954).

The organ, built by Mr. Kuhn in Maennedorf, based on the tubular pneumatic system, was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Monney, founders of the hospital of that name. This instrument has 28 registers and cost Fr. 17,000 at the time.

The large, handsome doors are made of chestnut wood and come from the workshops of Mr. Ody, a native of Vaulruz. Contractors in Geneva. Despite their enormous weight, they have never needed repair. The door hardware, eleven in all, is the work of M. Champion, Vevey, and is still very much in evidence.

May these few words of information enable you to admire our church with a different interest, and reassure you that in the past you will find the roots of the present and the essence of the future. These are the wishes of the Châtel St Denis parish council.

Ticketing

Unité pastorale St-Denis-Veveyse, Chemin de l’Eglise 27, 1618, Châtel-St-Denis
Chemin de l'Eglise 21
1618 Châtel-St-Denis

All the information contained in this presentation is taken from the "Notice écrite sur la nouvelle église de Châtel St Denis, offert aux paroissiens de Châtel -St-Denis et aux touristes à l'occasion de l'ouverture de la ligne Châtel St Denis - Palézieux" attributed to the parish priest Comte, found during the classification of the archives.

Eglise de Châtel-St-Denis
Chemin de l'Eglise 27
1618 Châtel-St-Denis

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