BUSSANG

CHURCH OF BUSSANG

Route

Description

The church was built in 1733. The church bell tower is the third and dates back to 1894, as indicated under the porch. The two former bell towers were destroyed, the first by fire and the second by lightning. The current one, which seems to have shrunk, was intentionally built this way, as the Municipal Council of the time did not want to risk erecting a third spire. The church is dedicated to Saint Barbara, patron saint of miners among others. The high altar located in the choir was ordered by Father Morizot and made with copper from the mines of Bussang. It is a Voltaic pantograph representing the burial. In the choir, magnificent stalls and an abbey pulpit remind us that the woodwork comes from the abbey of Moyenmoutier. Dismantled during the French Revolution, stored in the attics of the prefecture of Epinal, they were purchased by the municipality of Bussang for its church. It is rare to see such large Stations of the Cross. They are not signed, but probably come from a monks' school. The church of Bussang has an organ which is registrate for protection as a national heritage site in 2013 as well as its altar, its stalls, its stations of the Cross and its lustres. This instrument was built by organ builder Jean-Nicolas JEANPIERRE in 1838. It is an interesting example of early 19th century Vosges organ building, and as such, of great interest to the organological heritage of the region. It is composed of many pieces, including 1 keyboard of 56 notes. The church is open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on Sundays.