Develier-Dessus
Origin of the name Develier-Dessus
The hamlet bears the name of the village of Develier, with the addition of « Dessus » (upper). The origin of the name itself has not yet been explained.
Founding of Develier-Dessus
Neither a founder nor a date of creation is known. The hamlet consists of two groups of farms. The oldest is said to be the Maeder farm, the only one whose main façade is a gable. The area had iron mines, worked under the prince-bishops of Basel and probably earlier, then again in the second half of the 19th century. In the 19th century residents of the hamlet had their own chapel built.[1][2][4]
History of Develier-Dessus
under the prince-bishops of Basel. The iron mines of Develier-Dessus and Lieu-Galet are worked, probably already earlier.[4]
1837. The chapel is built on the initiative of residents of the hamlet, including François, Joseph and Jacques Greppin and Antoine Nusbaumer, on land bequeathed by the Nouvion family of Delémont. It is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception and to Saint Philomena.[1]
1838. The chapel is blessed on 11 December by Dean Nicolas Friat, parish priest of Delémont.[1]
second half of the 19th century. Renewed activity in the iron mines.[4]
around 1900. The tapping of the Tuf spring at Develier-Dessus leads to the abandonment of a water-powered threshing mill.[3]
1907. After several changes of ownership, the Roman Catholic parish of Develier becomes the owner of the chapel.[1]
1991. The farm at the northern entrance of the hamlet, destroyed during its renovation, is rebuilt to its original dimensions.[2]
2000. After seven years of work by parishioners from Courfaivre, Courtételle and Develier, the chapel, dedicated to Christian unity and now ecumenical, is blessed on 25 June by Bishop Kurt Koch of Basel. It is henceforth called the Chapel of Unity.[1]
Historic sites in Develier-Dessus
Chapelle de l'Unité (Sainte-Philomène). Chapel built in 1837-1838 by residents of the hamlet. It keeps its neoclassical stucco, a wooden choir screen, a recumbent figure of Saint Philomena in polychrome wood, 19th-century devotional images and a painting of Notre-Dame de la Rue du Bac. Its altar was donated by the painter Xavier Chappuis. Long abandoned, it has been restored and since 2000 every Christian community may celebrate there according to its own rite. A marked path links it to the Carmel of Develier.[1][2][3]
Farms of the hamlet. The hamlet has two groups of farms. The Maeder farm, with a gabled main façade, is said to be the oldest. A late 19th-century farm marks the southern entrance. The one at the northern entrance was rebuilt to its original dimensions in 1991.[2]
Remains in Develier-Dessus
Iron mines. The iron mines of Develier-Dessus and Lieu-Galet were worked under the prince-bishops of Basel, probably earlier, and saw renewed activity in the second half of the 19th century. Develier is described as the fourth site in the Jura for iron ore production.[4]
Sources
- Dictionnaire du Jura, « Unité, chapelle (paroisse de Develier) » (Philippe Kauffmann et collaborateurs)
- Commune de Develier, « Monuments et objets protégés »
- Commune de Develier, « Lieux-dits principaux »
- Commune de Develier, « Les mines de fer »
- Statistique Jura, tableau JU-T.01.01.03, population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025
- geo.admin.ch (swisstopo), recherche de lieux « Develier-Dessus »
Other villages near Develier-Dessus
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