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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Saint-Martin church in Borest, in the Oise department in the Hauts-de-France region, is a Catholic building whose history remains partially unknown. Its portal of the middle of the 12th century, the oldest part, bears witness to a Romanesque origin, while the choir, its side chapels and the bell tower form a Gothic ensemble of the early 13th century, marked by a notable Cistercian influence, notably that of the nearby Chaalis abbey. This choir, with a flat bedside illuminated by a triplet, displays a refined recount characteristic of the monastic architecture of the time.

In the second quarter of the 16th century, the nave and its unique north side are rebuilt in the flamboyant Gothic style, with particular attention to interior decoration despite economic constraints. A chapel added at the end of the 15th century in the corner between the nave and the bell tower, later transformed into a sacristy, completes this architectural ensemble. The church, listed as a historical monument in 1930, also preserves medieval murals and partially preserved furniture, including an 18th-century rock high altar.

The western portal, although redesigned in the flamboyant period, preserves 12th century Romanesque elements, including columns with capitals carved with vegetal motifs and chimera, now very eroded. These details, as well as the rosette and the foothills of the façade, illustrate the successive transformations of the building. The bell tower, positioned next to the choir, has partially clogged groves, while the lateral elevations and the bedside reflect stylistic homogeneity between the Romanesque and Gothic parts.

The church of Saint-Martin, now affiliated with the parish of Saint-Rieul in Senlis, remains an active place of worship, with Masses celebrated regularly. Its architecture, marked by varied influences and centuries-long construction campaigns, makes it a remarkable testimony to the evolution of religious styles in Valois. The overall conservation of the building, despite some restorations, allows you to appreciate both its history and its artistic peculiarities, such as the rotating vault keys or medieval murals.

The furniture, although partially dispersed, includes elements classified as a Louis XV credence, while missing objects, such as a 16th-century benigner and a 14th-century high-relief, recall the past richness of its decor. The church, owned by the commune, is open to the public on the first Saturdays of the month, thus perpetuating its central role in local life.

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