Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church of Espalion

Saint John the Baptist (Saint Jean Baptiste), to whom this church in Espalion is dedicated, is - like Saint Joseph - a man on the threshold from the Old to the New Testament. His parents are Zacharias and Elisabeth. After the announcement of God's incarnation, the Mother of God visits her relative Elisabeth, who will give birth to a son in her old age, John the Baptist. He is half a year older than Jesus and is considered his forerunner/pioneer. He lives in the desert, preaches repentance from sins to the Jewish population and baptizes them in the Jordan. Jesus also comes there to be baptized, and is filled with the Holy Spirit who descends on him from heaven.
The feast day of Saint John the Baptist (Jean Baptiste) in the saints' calendar is on June 24th, exactly half a year before 'Holy Eve'.

The parish church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste was built in 1883 in a neo-Gothic style. It replaced an older church nearby that had grown too small. It is remarkable that the church was built in the years following the French Revolution. It is a rare occurrence in France. The relics of Saint Hilaire have been kept in a chapel since 1883. The beauty of the church is evident in the photos.