Sergy, Ain

Sergy (French pronunciation: [sɛʁʒi]; Arpitan: Sèrgi) is a commune in the Ain department in eastern France. At the time of Roman occupation under Julius Caesar, a certain Sergius was rewarded with land - over time a small village developed around his home. Sergy was under Roman control for 464 years. In the Middle Ages, the Sergier family administered Sergy until 1533. This family also founded a chapel. In 1536, the Pays de Gex was invaded by the Bernese, and Protestantism was imposed by the de Martine family. The Sergier church became the Religionnaires temple. In 1589, the Genevese took possession of the area, and in 1600 it became part of Catholic France. The temple in Sergy remained a Protestant church. In 1685, the king forbade the reformed Protestant religion, and the temple was destroyed.