In 1867, on a promontory of the steep slope overlooking Fruence, a veritable balcony from which one plunges onto Châtel, the district of Veveyse, and in the distance, onto Lake Geneva and Savoy, the Chapel of the Scex was erected, dedicated to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.
Half a century earlier, against a beech tree further into the forest at Chaussins, a statue of Our Lady of the Hermits often attracted pilgrims, and it had previously been considered to replace it with a chapel.
Here too, it was Father Comte - a few years before the construction of the parish church - who managed to get the project off the ground.
"From the esplanade of the Chapel of the Scex, before this grand panorama, he must have imagined and rejoiced in the future of this church, which would be placed at the center of this parish and region of Châtel-St-Denis, which already meant so much to him and for which he would give forty-two years of fruitful ministry."
Called to this position by Mgr. Marilley on January 15, 1865, Father Comte remained in office without interruption until his death on February 10, 1907.
To tell the story of Father Comte's life properly, one would have to write almost half a century of the history of Châtel-St-Denis. Forty-two years of parish ministry in the same parish! What a sum of perseverance and activity is encompassed in this long period, especially at a time when life is so intense and witnessing so many events! Father Comte left his mark on the spiritual and social life of Châtel-St-Denis and the region.
A man of peace and conciliation, Father Comte had a marked preference for St. Nicholas of Flüe. At his instigation, the people of Fribourg acquired, at Flühli, the house where the great patriot lived before becoming the hermit of Ranft.
The plans for the Chapel of the Scex were provided by Mr. Théodore Perroud of Châtel, architect and former councilor of state. The sanctuary is in imitation Gothic style. The façade is made of black marble from St. Triphon. The statue of the Immaculate, in bronze, which dominates the pediment, comes from Lyon.
Completed in the space of two and a half months, the chapel was blessed on June 9, 1867, amidst great crowds. Pilgrims come in large numbers from all over the region and far around, along the path bordered by the stations of the cross. It was adorned in 1954 with stained glass windows by Yoki, the four in the nave dedicated to the life of Mary, that of the choir to her coronation, and finally (1956) that of the door to the protecting Virgin.
Work was carried out, with talent, by Isabelle Barbey for the statue of the Virgin and Martial Clerc for the restoration of the stained glass windows. They are two artists from the region.
Reference works: Châtel St Denis, yesterday and today by Mr. Albert Genoud - Mgr. Waeber - Churches and Chapels Kt. Freiburg - Nouvelles Etrennes Fribourgeoises - 1908 - pp. 94 to 97 - Fribourg - Printing Fragnière Frères.
Information
Unité pastorale St-Denis-Veveyse, Chemin de l’Eglise 27, 1618, Châtel-St-Denis
Chemin de l'Eglise 21
1618 Châtel-St-Denis
Chapelle Notre-Dame du Scé
Chemin du Scé
1618 Châtel-St-Denis
