In the early 20th century, social life in mountain villages revolved primarily around the parish and the religious calendar: Sunday Mass, festivals, processions, and ceremonies set the pace of community life, in tandem with the rhythms of farm work. In Sappey-en-Chartreuse, a village historically divided into hamlets, the church, wayside crosses, and gathering places played a central role in social life—as did a more modern organizational structure, particularly centered around the town hall and school in the 19th century.