The return of the Brothers, “Rue de Contrai,” 1882 - 1889



T he Society of the private Christian Schools and his board of directors chaired by the former mayor of Reims, Count Edouard Werlé, bought the buildings on “Rue de Contrai”.

T hese buildings were occupied, since the French Revolution, by the spinning mill Guyotin. (Opposite and in red on the land registry below)
It was a large building, combining the desirable sanitary conditions, being able to support the necessary transformations. It occupied sites formerly inhabited by Jean Baptist de La Salle and his first followers. It was a family heirloom.

T he community of Brothers gathered on “Rue de Contrai”. An attic was used as a dormitory, a ruined room as a dining hall, another one, more damaged as a meeting room.

O n June 24th 1882, the school opened. The establishment was henceforth dedicated to the technical and professional education.






W ith Brother Bérardus-Julien's arrival as head of the community, the Rue de Contrai school took a new dimension. In 1896, he bought the house 25 “Rue Gambetta”.
(In blue on the land registry opposite)

I n 1896, he opened an industrial Course on four sections: joinery , fitting, modeling,
T he next Director of the School, Brother Arateur-Joseph, led the school on to more ambitious horizons.
Le 28 juin 1899, il achète un immeuble 36 rue du Barbâtre
On June 28th 1899, he bought a building 36 “Rue du Barbâtre”
On July 19th 1889, he bought a building 39 “Rue Gambetta”
On July 21st 1889, he bought a building 42 “Rue du Barbâtre”
On October 24th 1899, he bought a building 40 “Rue du Barbâtre”
On October 31st 1889, he bought a building 38 “Rue du Barbâtre”
(in green on the land registry opposite)


I t was the beginning of the large-scale work which was the pride of Reims: the school of “Arts et métiers”, a school of superior technicians.








T he statue of Jean Baptist de La Salle was settled in the main courtyard. It was a copy in the ½ scale made by the Parisian manufacturer Peaucelle-Coquet from the original statue raised on Place Saint-Clément in Rouen.







T he bronze original statue of Jean-Baptist de La Salle, settled in Rouen, was designed by Sculptor Alexandre Falguière.

I t was melted on April 24th, 1874 by Caster Thiebaut.

T he monument was erected by Architect Edouard de Perthes.

T he whole monument was inaugurated on June 2nd 1875.