Collégiale de Saint-Imier
Origin of the name Collégiale de Saint-Imier
The church is dedicated to Saint Imier, whose relics were brought here from the chapel of Saint-Martin. It owes its title of collegiate church to the chapter of canons that served it, known from the mention of its provost in 1177.[1]
Founding of Collégiale de Saint-Imier
The chapter is older than 1177 and probably grew out of an early medieval monastery formed at the burial place of the hermit Imier. The oldest parts of the church date from the 11th century, possibly on the foundations of an earlier building without a tower. The statutes of 1317 limit the chapter to twelve canons, who rarely live on site. It holds the right of presentation to the parishes of Tramelan, Dombresson and Serrières and property in the valley, on the shores of Lake Biel and in the Neuchâtel region, but no seigneurial rights.[1][2]
History of Collégiale de Saint-Imier
11th century. The oldest parts of the church are built, in two phases visible mainly in the aisles. The relics of Saint Imier are transferred here from the chapel of Saint-Martin.[1][2]
1146. The church no longer depends on Moutier-Grandval. On 15 May a bull of Pope Eugene III confirms the rights of the bishopric of Basel over Saint-Imier.[1][3]
1177. Theodericus of Neuchâtel, the first known provost of the chapter, is also dean of the deanery of Saint-Imier.[1]
1178. On 25 November Pope Alexander III confirms the possessions of the church of Saint-Imier.[3]
1299. On 21 October the counts of Aarberg, lords of Valangin, give up their rights over Dombresson in favour of the church.[3]
1317. Statutes set the number of canons at twelve at most.[1]
1335. The chapter concludes a treaty of co-citizenship with Biel/Bienne.[1]
1479. Biel/Bienne obtains the right to confirm the appointment of canons and the advocacy. Two attempts to move the chapter to Biel/Bienne fail.[1]
1512. The bell tower burns on 27 April. The crossing probably received its rib vault after this fire.[2][3]
1530. Biel/Bienne introduces the Reformation in the valley. The canons, except three, resist and then flee, and the chapter is dissolved.[1]
1574. On the death of the last canon, the property reverts to the Prince-Bishop of Basel.[1]
1752. The parish buys the organ built in 1749 by Johann-Conrad Speisegger for the Temple of Neuchâtel.[3]
Around 1810. The side apses are pulled down.[2]
1839-1840. The octagonal bell storey is added to the tower.[2]
1886. Polychrome frescoes are discovered.[3]
1925-1930. The architect Louis Bueche carries out a full restoration (1927-1930 according to another source). He removes plaster and woodwork of the 17th and 18th centuries, rebuilds the side apses and adds a new south entrance.[1][2]
1930. Ernst Correvon restores the Christ in the apse. The restored church is inaugurated on 21 September.[2][3]
1939-1940. The bell storey is replaced in a modified form. Three new bells from the Rüetschi foundry in Aarau ring for the first time on 31 December 1939.[2][3]
1982-1983. A new restoration. In 1983 the Bernese government places the collegiate church under full protection. It is returned to worship on 4 January 1984.[1][3]
1986. A new organ is inaugurated on 3 May (1985 according to another source).[2][3]
Historic sites in Collégiale de Saint-Imier
Romanesque basilica. Church with three naves, a low, slightly projecting transept and three apses. The six-bay nave with a flat ceiling rests on square pillars. The undecorated exterior has round-arched openings.[1][2]
West tower. Its lower part dates from the 12th and 13th centuries. The porch holds late Romanesque shafts with leaf and grotesque-mask capitals. On the first floor is the former chapel of Saint Michael, with its altar niche.[2]
Apse paintings. The semi-dome of the central apse keeps the outlines of Christ enthroned in a mandorla, probably from the first half of the 13th century, with the symbols of the Evangelists.[2]
Bells. Two bells from the 15th century, one with a relief of Saint Imier, two from 1612 and three Rüetschi bells from 1939.[2]
Tombstone. Tombstone of 1655 for Jacob Beynon, castellan of the Erguël.[2]
Remains in Collégiale de Saint-Imier
Carved fragments. In 1927 a collection of decorated and inscribed stone fragments was found in the attic.[2]
Former portals. The remains of three old portals came to light in 1891.[3]
Legends of Collégiale de Saint-Imier
Queen Bertha as founder. A tradition recorded since the 15th century attributes the founding of the collegiate church to Queen Bertha, wife of Rudolph II. Auguste Quiquerez took it up in 1852. Neither written records nor archaeology confirm it.[4]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Saint-Imier (chapitre) » (Kathrin Utz Tremp), version du 20.02.2018
- Office fédéral de la protection de la population, Inventaire suisse des biens culturels (PBC), fiche KGS 01245 « St-Imier, ehemalige Stiftskirche »
- Chronologie jurassienne (Denis Moine, Archives cantonales jurassiennes, Archives de l'État de Berne, Mémoires d'Ici), « Saint-Imier, Églises, Collégiale »
- Mémoires d'Ici, « Des fondations légendaires : les exemples de la reine Berthe à Saint-Imier et du prévôt Siginand à Bellelay », Les dossiers de Mémoires d'Ici, février 2007
Other villages near Collégiale de Saint-Imier
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