Church St. Bartélemy and other Roeschwoog, France Things to Do Tips

The parish exists since 1372, in 1543 it was reformed but returned to the Catholicism in 1696.

The church of St. Bartélemy was built between 1765 and 1767 with sandstone from Lembach and bricks. The date it was finished 1765 (MDCCLXVII) can be read above the entrance (see picture). Nevertheless the oldest parts date back to the 15th century.

During the revolution it was used as a hay barn but it resumed its former course as a church in 1832. During the last war it was damaged by a granade but beautifully restored in 1966/67.

The chapel that stands in the cemetary dates back supposedly to the 15./16. century. The keystone has the coat of arms of Fleckenstein-Dagstuhl carved in.

Enjoy the free-standing church with the cemetary around it. Here you can still feel what it means to have a parish church standing elevated with a view to the horizon and a range of mountains. At the end of the cemetary of large Cross focuses the view of the prayers.

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Address: Rue de Fort Louis, 67480 Roeschwoog

The church built in 1767 has a simple nave with white plastered walls and ceiling.

Stained glass windows illuminate the inside.

The main altar in the choir and the two side altars are remarkably decorated.

What catches the eye is a painting on the ceiling.

An organ that sits above the entrance on a gallery complements the interior.

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Address: Rue de Fort Louis, 67480 Roeschwoog

When you are approaching the choir with the main altar, light is switching on by a movement detector, so don't hesitate and come closer.

The altars are of Baroque exuberance and enthusiasm.

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Address: Rue de Fort Louis, 67480 Roeschwoog

Here you can see the stained glass windows in the choir.

#1: left side of the main altar

#2: right side of the main altar

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Address: Rue de Fort Louis, 67480 Roeschwoog

Here you can see the stained glass windows in the wall on the right side (the south wall) of the church:

#3: depicts pope Leo IX., inscription "PORTAE INFERI NON PRAEVALEBUNT EAM"

#4: inscription "CONSECRATIO 31-X-1943 CHRISTO REGI"

#5: inscription "S JOANNES BOSCO | PROTECTOR JUVENUM"

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Address: Rue de Fort Louis, 67480 Roeschwoog

Here you can see the stained glass windows in the wall on the right side (the south wall) of the church:

#6: depicts the Holy Mother with the child

#7: inscription "SANCTA ODILIA | PATRONA ALSATIAE"

#8: inscription "REQUIEM AETERNAM | DONA EIS DOMINE"

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Address: Rue de Fort Louis, 67480 Roeschwoog

In the centre of the ceiling a painting catches the eye.

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Address: Rue de Fort Louis, 67480 Roeschwoog

The organ, a great example of Alsatian organ building skills, sits on a gallery above the entrance. It was installed by Michel STIEHR (1750-1829) in 1808 by using parts of an older previous organ from the end of the 18th century, supposedly done by Ferdinand STIEFFEL.

In contrast to other organ builders Michel STIEHR continued his work during the times of the French Revolution. In this period he developed new ideas, organs of this period can be seen in Herrlisheim, Hoerdt, Reichsett and Roppenheim.

The Roeschwoog organ from 1808 where he combined many ideas became such a success that it may be seen as the start of a Roeschwoog "style" of similar organs done by the STIEHR family. You can find later examples in Brumath (1810), Eschau (1817), Rountzenheim (1822) and Furdenheim (1823).

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Address: Rue de Fort Louis, 67480 Roeschwoog
Website: http://pagesperso-orange.fr/eisenberg/orgues/roeschwo.htm

Here you can see the stained glass windows in the wall above the entrance. (I never thought about that: funily it's the front side wall from outside, but the back side wall when standing inside).

These windows reside above the gallery to the left and right of the organ.

You can climb up the stairs to the gallery and take a closer look as well as have a look back to the church.

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Address: Rue de Fort Louis, 67480 Roeschwoog