Although the building you can see today is the result of successive reconstructions, the first church is Annemasse stood where Saint André Church is today.
It was dedicated in 522 by Avitus, the bishop of Vienna, when he was returning from Saint-Maurice-d'Agaune. The first mention of 'Namasce' (which later would become 'Annemasse') can be found in texts describing this event. Excavations have revealed a pre-existing Gallo-Roman temple which could explain why this site was chosen.
Its present Neo-Gothic style is the result of an undertaking in 1862. The building was attached at right angles to an older conformation which was then destroyed 10 years later. The church was then equipped with a modestly-sized 'Merklin' organ.
The bells in Saint André Church are relatively recent as the originals were removed by the Reformists in 1536. Cast in 1956 in the very famous Alfred Paccard foundry, the three bells are called Marie-Andrée (950 kilos), Marie-Françoise (550 kilos) and Marie-Jeanne (380 kilos). They are all electronic.
The church furnishings and stained glass windows were recently added during renovation and restoration work in 1998. The altar, pulpit and altarpiece were made by the French sculptor, Philippe Kaeppelin, as well as the very striking, modern stained-glass windows.
- Historic site and monument
Saint André Church
When you see the 32-metre Neo-Gothic bell tower, it is hard to imagine that this is one of the oldest places in Annemasse. From when the town was known as 'Namasce' to the present day, there has been a succession of buildings on Saint-André square.
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