Vialas (Lozère)

After the Edict of Nantes, the Protestant population of Vialas was large enough to have a temple built in 1612 at its own expenses. The Reformed, being merely tolerated by the state, received no subsidies.

A place of resistance

  • Temple in Vialas (Lozère) © René Laurent

The first temple was a humble chapel with few openings for climatic reasons ; as stipulated by the Edict of Nantes, it was built at the far end of the village.

In 1680, as the Revocation was drawing near, the Protestants were summoned to forsake their religion. They had to renounce or migrate, and the Catholics took over the temple to transform it into a Catholic chapel. A stone apse was added and the edifice was saved from destruction (1680-1787).

However Vialas remained a place of resistance and, during the 17th century, the Reformed held their services at home or gathered on the slopes near Trenze.

During the Revolution (1789) the chapel was closed.

On the 30th of August 1804, the Protestant mayor of the town gave the keys of the former temple of Vialas to the consistory.

Vialas (Lozère)

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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