History of Contz-the-Baths
The church Saint Jean Baptist
Introduction
It is in the passing of the bridge on the Moselle that the village of Contz-the-Baths is presented to the visitor best. The houses seem to be staged in terraces starting from the river bank to go up towards the culminating point where the church of the village is located, church whose high nave and the slim bell-tower emerge perfectly from the whole of other constructions. In the village, it is necessary to be stopped with the foot of the steps which, in four flights, carry out street of the Press to the church, to be the physical aware of what one can call the way of the Sky. -->Work of the Jaquemin architect, born of the will of the Pastor abbot, the church of Low-Kontz is also the result of the efforts of all the inhabitants of the village who ensured of it the essence of construction and the financing.
The situation of the parish in 1860
The construction of the church of Contz began in May from the year 1869 after ten years preparation, period during which the discussions and the conflicts between the commune, évêché and the prefectoral administration were numerous. These differences in opinion fell quickly into the lapse of memory when in 1871 construction was carried out term.A letter dated July 31st, 1860, addressed to the prefect of the department by the bishop of Metz, Mgr Paul-Georges-Marie Dupont of the Cabins, informs about the situation of the parish of Low-Kontz:
The parish of Low-Kontz has been without Pasteur for soon two years in consequence of the lack of priests speaking the two languages and the bad condition about the presbytery and the church. The roof and the skirting of this last building require important repairs: perhaps should one benefit from this circumstance to give a little more to put rise to the nave in the church and it at the height chorus, to place the main door in the middle of the pinion of south-west and to lay out the windows on the same plan instead of the unequal plan that one adopted when this building was increased… As the factory misses essential resources to provide for this expenditure, I come to request from you, Mister the Prefect, to agree to delegate an architect for the purpose of studying the two buildings on the spot, to draw up an estimate of work so that those which are most urgent are carried out as early as to make could be, and that one has ideas arrâtées on the execution of the others. I will charge, on my side, the administrator of the parish to call upon the pious generosity of the parishioners so that they viennet in assistance with the commune at once that one will know the total figure of the expenditure…
The abbot Clement, priest of Rettel, took over temporarily the duties while waiting for the designation of a titular priest. The father François Hab, originating in Low-Kontz and for at the time missionary in Malaysia, on the occasion to mention this problem in the letters which he addressed to his family at the village. Thus it, on September 8th, 1860 notes: Do you have finally a new priest, and which are the news of the parish?
Then, in May 1862: Even if you currently do not have a priest, do not believe that you are free not to more have to worry you about God and the hello of your heart. It is a great misfortune for the parish, because where there is no divine service, the demon will have good game.
Lastly, on May 10th, 1863: I am happy that you have a new priest. Made so that one does not give up you.
With the reception of the letter of the bishop, the prefect of the the Moselle charged the sub-prefect with Thionville dealing with this file and with communicating the contents of this letter to the municipality of Low-Kontz and, in his meeting of September 27th, 1860, the municipal council answers in a letter which requires of the prefect to use the time when the post of priest would be vacant to carry out repairs necessary to the church, while insisting on the lack of means of the commune and of its inhabitants.
With this deliberation, the mayor united a letter of his hand in order to bring some precise details as for the situation of the parish. He indicates in particular his dissension with the évèque one of Metz which, according to him, carries little interest to the commune, and shows the jealousy to it the priest of Rettel.
Hydropathic establishment
history
nowadays
August 1st To see " The Ignited Wheel of Contz Bains" Francis ANDRE-CARTIGNY editions Fensch Valley To consult http://contz.cabanova.fr