Notre-Dame des Grâces church

Notre-Dame des Grâces church in Lancy (French: Église Notre-Dame des Grâces) is a Catholic parish church in the Grand-Lancy district, right next to Geneva. Built in 1912–1913, it remains the centre of the local Catholic community. For visitors it is a quiet stop away from central Geneva, rewarding for anyone who likes stained glass and the religious history of the canton.

What is the history of the church?

The church grew out of a turbulent chapter in Geneva's Catholic life. In 1873, during the Kulturkampf, Roman Catholics were expelled from the Trinity church in Lancy, which went to the Old Catholics. New places of worship came only in the early twentieth century: the Protestants built a chapel in Petit-Lancy in 1912, and the Roman Catholics raised Notre-Dame des Grâces (1912–1913). Do not confuse it with the medieval Notre-Dame church recorded in Lancy as early as 1275, which passed to the Protestants at the Reformation.

What will you see inside?

The highlight is the set of 1913 windows, made in leaded glass with grisaille painting. They show scenes from the life of Mary, including the Assumption, the Nativity of Mary and the Presentation in the Temple, plus a Crucifixion. The Assumption panel is signed by the Geneva glass painter G. Jourdin. A later Virgin Mary window from 1994, by a different artist, completes the ensemble. The Vitrosearch catalogue documents these windows, and they look best in daylight.

How do you get there?

The church stands in Grand-Lancy, canton of Geneva, at roughly 46.182° N, 6.121° E. Public transport from central Geneva takes about a quarter of an hour, and the surrounding residential streets suit a relaxed walk. Check the parish website (up-rives-de-laire.ch) for the exact address and service times.

When is the best time to visit?

Sunday Mass or a major feast day, when the doors are open and the church is full. Already in the 1950s the parish marked Corpus Christi and its patronal feast with processions around the building. Outside services the church may be locked, so plan an interior visit in advance.

Frequently asked questions

When was Notre-Dame des Grâces in Lancy built? In 1912–1913.

Which diocese does it belong to? The Diocese of Lausanne, Geneva and Fribourg; it is a Roman Catholic parish in Grand-Lancy.

Are the stained-glass windows worth seeing? Yes. The 1913 windows with Marian scenes are the finest feature of the interior.

Is it the same church as Saint-Marc in Petit-Lancy? No. Saint-Marc is a separate church in the neighbouring Petit-Lancy district.

Is there an entrance fee? Entry to a parish church is normally free, but opening hours are set by the parish.