Notre-Dame Church

The church of Villé was built from 1754 to 1758 by Joseph Elmerich following the plans of the architect Chassain. Facade surmounted by a bell tower, nave with two side aisles and neo-Gothic choir. Vessel of 40 x 19,6 meters. Church of baroque style. As we enter we are greeted by a statue of the Curé d'Ars and a baptismal font. The vault presents three motifs: the equilateral triangle with the eye of God, the dove symbolizing the Holy Spirit and the monogram of Christ. The pulpit is surmounted by a golden pelican, symbol of Christ, which opens its chest to feed its young. On the pulpit level, the left side of the church houses a thin Christ. In the right side, the chapel of the Virgin is decorated with a Virgin and Child as well as two stained glass windows by Kuder: the Virgin consoling the posters and the Virgin saving the weak. The side altars are dedicated to St. Joseph and St. Aloyse on the left and to St. Barbara and St. Claire on the right. The nave is illuminated by stained glass windows designed by René Kuder and made by Alphonse Ehret. They represent a scene from the life of the Virgin: on the left the Annunciation, the nativity, the flight into Egypt and the Holy Family, on the right Jesus and Martha, Jesus, Mary and Martha; Jesus carrying the cross meets Mary; the descent from the cross. The triumphal arch that separates the nave from the choir has a fresco by Kuder: 8.80 by 2.50 meters: "We take refuge under the protection of the Holy Mary, Mother of God". The choir has three stained glass windows designed by Kuder: the Crucifixion, the Assumption and the Last Judgment. The high altar is very harmonious. The altarpiece is very harmonious. A large painting attributed to Jehl represents the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Above the door of the sacristy a large crucifixion. In the center of the tribune the effigy of Saint Cecilia. The organ is by Rinckenbach (1913). (Source: Historical Society of the Val de Villé).