Chapelle de Chalière
Origin of the name Chapelle de Chalière
The place is attested in the forms « Zcholiers » in 1295 and « Choliere » in 1494. Today it is spelled Chalière or Chalières. What the name means is not yet known.[1]
Founding of Chapelle de Chalière
The chapel is the only remnant of Chalières, a medieval village and former parish. It is probably the chapel of Saint-Etienne which in the 10th century depended on the abbey of Moutier-Grandval. The present building stands on a former Carolingian site and probably dates from the 11th century. Neither its exact date of construction nor its patrons are known. It is a nave closed by an apse, topped by a small bell turret, lit by eight small round-arched windows and with a door on the south side. It stands today in the cemetery of Moutier, on the road to Perrefitte.[1][3]
History of Chapelle de Chalière
10th century. The church of Chalières, probably the chapel of Saint-Etienne, depends on the abbey of Moutier-Grandval.[1]
11th century. Probable construction of the present chapel and execution of its wall paintings, rare late examples of Ottonian art in Switzerland.[1][3]
1295. The place is mentioned in the form « Zcholiers ».[1]
1494. The place is mentioned in the form « Choliere ».[1]
16th century. After the Reformation, Chalières becomes the church of a parish comprising Champoz and Perrefitte, served by the pastor of Moutier.[1]
1746. Champoz separates from the double parish of Moutier-Chalières.[1]
19th century. Perrefitte cedes its cemetery, then the chapel, to the French-speaking Reformed parish of Moutier.[1]
1888. The French-speaking Reformed parish sells the chapel to the German-speaking Reformed parish, which uses it as its church until 1932.[1]
1934-1936. A renovation uncovers the wall paintings. Their restoration is now considered questionable.[1][3]
20th century. Around the middle of the century the Prévôté cemetery comes to border the chapel, which protects it from property developers.[3]
2026. On 1 January the municipality of Moutier, and with it the chapel, moves from the canton of Bern to the canton of Jura.[2]
Historic sites in Chapelle de Chalière
The chapel. Small Romanesque church with a simple plan, a nave ending in an apse, with a small bell turret, eight small round-arched windows and a door on the south side. It serves as the cemetery chapel and is listed in the Swiss Inventory of Cultural Property of National Significance (Rue de Chalière 14).[1][3][6]
The Prévôté cemetery. Having come to border the chapel in the middle of the 20th century, it has kept the chapel from being surrounded by buildings.[3]
Remains in Chapelle de Chalière
Wall paintings. Uncovered in 1934-1936 and dated to the 11th century, they show Christ in glory in the vault of the apse, below him the twelve apostles, and Cain and Abel presenting their offerings. Floral motifs create an effect of perspective and the lower registers are lost. Their style is compared to the Reichenau school, while others see a Burgundian influence.[1][3]
Legends of Chapelle de Chalière
The consecration by Emperor Henry II. A tradition holds that the chapel was consecrated in 1019 in the presence of Emperor Henry II, who is said to have paid for its paintings. No document confirms this: the consecration of 1019 that Henry II attended was that of Basel Cathedral.[3]
The village carried off by the plague. According to tradition, the medieval village of Chalières disappeared because of the plague, leaving only its church.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Chalières »
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Moutier-Grandval »
- Ville de Moutier, « La Chapelle de Chalière »
- Ville de Moutier, « Historique »
- Inventaire suisse des biens culturels (PBC), objet n° 1072, « Chapelle du cimetière de Chalière », geo.admin.ch
- Office fédéral de la protection de la population (OFPP), Inventaire PBC, liste cantonale du canton du Jura (état au 1.1.2026)
Other villages near Chapelle de Chalière
Missing information, or do you have a source? Suggest a correction or addition. Every submission is checked before it's published.
Suggest a change