Nearly 20 years after the validation of the project by the diocese of Versailles, 3 years after the laying of its first stone, the St-Joseph-le-Bienveillant church has finally opened. Located in the new La Remittance district, in Voisins, it held its first mass on December 15.
Pierre-Hervé Grosjean, priest of the Montigny-Voisins parish, met on site 4 days before the inaugural mass, evokes 2 main reasons why this church aroused very high expectations. The 1st, the capacity of the church, being able to accommodate 800 faithful. A need while the latter were cramped in the other churches of the parish (St-Pierre du Lac and St-Martin in Montigny, Notre-Dame-en-sa-Nativité in Voisins). “Until now we only had small churches, which […] have around 180 places each, he confides. We did not have a place to bring together the entire community, which has 900 parishioners every Sunday, and X2 on major holidays. » 2nd reason: “Beyond the usual practitioners, parishioners, […] there are many people who are happy that churches are still being built. »
“It’s quite rare and quite unique to experience the construction and opening of a new church,” he also emphasizes. Even less a church of this architecture. With its contemporary style, and its choir in the shape of a giant shell, attracting the eye from the outside, St-Joseph-le-Bienveillant stands out. “At the same time, the architecture is bold and modern and blends well with the neighborhood which itself is very new, and at the same time, there are all the traditional elements of a church,” summarizes Father Grosjean.
“It’s quite rare and quite unique to experience the construction and opening of a new church”
Elements that the faithful will be able to discover or rediscover on December 24 and 25 during the first Christmas mass in the new building. Finally, many parishioners will no doubt say after many postponements for various reasons. “I told the architects that this year, there would be no plan B for Christmas. I wanted us to be able to celebrate Christmas in this church, because it is also a way of introducing everyone to [l’édifice]says Father Grosjean. There are a lot of people who come, even people who aren’t used to it or who are far away, and who come because it’s Christmas. And I thought it was good that we could bring everyone together. Usually it was full, we had to leave people outside, it wasn’t possible. If there’s ever a day when everyone should have their place, it’s Christmas. »
This time there should be room for everyone, especially since not one but 3 masses will be given: 2 on the evening of the 24th (6 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.), and one on the 25th. at 10:30 a.m. 2000 people are expected over all 3 masses. An enthusiasm that matches the expectations that the building has generated, and which has also been reflected in the donations. Pierre-Hervé Grosjean expresses his emotion “to see the generosity of adults and children alike”. “I received envelopes with a small 5 euro note, a 10 euro note, with a little note: ‘I don’t have much, but I want to participate’. And from all over France,” he testifies.
Associations also participated in the financing, also made possible by the sale of buildings in the parish which will no longer be used, because “all activities will be refocused here”, indicates the priest of Montigny-Voisins. In addition to a church, St-Joseph-le-Bienveillant will in fact be a parish center, with rooms for catechism, housing for priests, kitchen, etc.
The small historic churches of the parish, St-Martin and Notre-Dame-en-sa-Nativité “will continue to be used for weekday masses, baptisms, weddings, burials,” lists Father Grosjean. As for St-Pierre du Lac, it should be entrusted to a community of Maronites, Eastern Christians, who for the moment are lending the church of St-Martin.
The work on St-Joseph-le-Bienveillant has not been completed despite its opening. 3 statues must be installed there. The first will be delivered in March. A fresco will be painted near the choir. Finally, the organ is “in the process of being built”, says the priest. An organ “today 2/3 financed”, thanks to funds raised by the association Les Amis de l’orgue de Voisins, he adds, announcing an installation of the instrument in December 2025.
In 2026, the consecration of the church will still remain. In the meantime, the faithful can now go and pray there and attend masses. These are held every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. To consult the days and times of all religious times in all the churches in the parish, go to parish.montigny-voisins.fr.
