Collegiate Church of Saint-Étienne (Hombourg-Haut)
The Collégiale Saint-Étienne (Collegiate Church of St. Stephen) is a Gothic building in Hombourg-Haut, department of Moselle, in the cultural and historical region Lorraine, Grand Est.
History
After the establishment of the Chapter of the collegiate[1] by James of Lorraine, bishop of Metz in 1254, the church was erected during the 13th-14th centuries.[2] It probably replaced an earlier church.
Although it was damaged by a fire in 1632, it was spared from destruction during the Thirty Years War and the 1789 revolution.
Cultural value
The church is registered as a French national heritage site[3] and has become the symbol of the city of Hombourg-Haut. 
1847 a new organ was installed by Pierre Rivinach. In 1906 the instrument was extended by the Dalstein-Haerpfer company. In 1992 it was restored by the organ builder Michel Gaillard (Aubertin).
The stained glass windows include works by the 20th century master glass maker Jean-Henri Couturat, second 1925 Prix de Rome.[4]
From the fifteens onwards the collegiate church served as a major venue for the classical music concerts in Hombourg-Haut. The Saint-Cecilia choir is the official choir of the church and sings the masses. It also gives concerts. The Friends of the organ (non-profit association) regularly organises concerts as well as the Choeur d'hommes de Hombourg-Haut, the oldest male choir in the region Lorraine.[5] Most of the concerts of the Théodore Gouvy international Festival take place in the Gothic building.
References
- With 13 capitular canons that was run until 1743
- Hystory of Hombourg In Cashiers de la Société d'Histoire du Pays Naborien
- Base Mérimée: PA00106789, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French)
- List of the painters Grand Prix de Rome 1864-1968
- The 150 years anniversary of the choir. TV Mosaic
