Saint-Michel Church

The church of Saint-Michel, in Brest

The church of Saint-Michel is a Gothic-style church of the beginning of the twentieth century, that adds its charm to the Saint-Martin district of Brest. The Brest audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this building inaugurated in 1913, tested by the Second World War then by the explosion of the Ocean Liberty in 1947, that ravaged its stained glass, since restored.

History

The church of Saint-Michel was built in the twentieth century, when the church of Saint-Martin became too small to host the numerous faithful of the district. Designed in a Gothic style, it was inaugurated in 1913 and knew over its history some trials: it was notably much hit during the Second World War. Quickly restored after the war, it suffered a few years later the consequences of a drama, the explosion of the Ocean Liberty, a Norwegian cargo ship heavily loaded with ammonium nitrate and moored in the port of Brest, that caught fire and exploded in 1947. The blast destroyed in particular the stained glass of the church of Saint-Michel, restored again after this drama, as well as numerous buildings of a city already much damaged by the war. Today, this small church adds its charm to the district and testifies to the eventful history of Brest in the twentieth century. You will visit it with respect, in the calm conducive to contemplation, in memory of the trials crossed by the city and its inhabitants.

What to see

Here you discover, with respect, a Gothic-style church inaugurated in 1913, built when Saint-Martin became too small; much hit by the Second World War then by the explosion of the Ocean Liberty in 1947, that ravaged its stained glass since restored, it adds its charm to the district. The church of Saint-Michel is a place of prayer and memory, to be visited with respect. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The church of Saint-Michel lies in the Saint-Martin district, in Brest, reachable on foot. It is a place of worship in activity, attached to the parish of Brest-Centre, whose access is made in the respect of the services and of contemplation; the hours of visit and of mass vary. It is best to enquire before coming and to adopt correct attire.

Why were the stained glass windows of the church of Saint-Michel of Brest destroyed?

Because of the explosion of the Ocean Liberty in 1947, a Norwegian cargo ship loaded with ammonium nitrate that caught fire in the port of Brest; the blast ravaged the stained glass of the church, already hit by the bombings of the Second World War, as well as numerous buildings of the city. Inaugurated in 1913, the church was restored after these dramas.

Where is the church of Saint-Michel in Brest?

In the Saint-Martin district, in Brest, in France.