Temple Saint-Martin de Montbéliard

Saint-Martin de Montbéliard is a church mentioned as early as 1343. In 1524, the reformer Guillaume Farel preached the Protestant reformation in Montbéliard, which the Dukes of Montbéliard quickly accepted. The principality of Montbéliard became a Protestant enclave, encircled by Catholic regions, and became a refuge for Protestants seeking religious freedom. The church of Saint-Martin was converted to the Reformed faith in 1536. The population growth at the end of the 16th century prompted Prince Frederick I of Montbéliard to build a new place of worship dedicated to the Lutheran faith. He called on Heinrich Schickhardt, a renowned architect from the Duchy of Württemberg, and in 1601, the first stone was laid in place of the old place of worship. The roof structure was completed in 16045 and the building was finally finished in 1607.