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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The church Saint-Martin de Versigny, located in the Oise department in the Hauts-de-France region, is a flamboyant Gothic church built mainly in the second quarter of the sixteenth century. Its older bell tower dates from the late 15th century and has an elegant 13th century inspired arrow. The rest of the building, including the nave and the lower side, reflects the late Gothic style with renaissant influences, as evidenced by the arches in the middle of the windows and the later Western portal.

The stone altarpiece, dated 1561 and Renaissance style, is a remarkable element of the church. It is decorated with sculptures and gilding, depicting biblical scenes such as the Nativity and Adoration of the Magi, as well as the four Evangelists. This altarpiece, classified as a historic monument, bears the mysterious initials "RT·AL", also present on a blocked side gate. The church was completely restored between 1863 and 1867 thanks to Countess Aglaée de Junquières, whose generosity is commemorated by a plaque.

Classified as historical monuments by order of 6 May 1907, the church now depends on the parish of Notre-Dame de la Visitation du Haudouin. It also houses classified furniture, such as 16th-century stalls, 16th and 17th-century funeral slabs, and a carved group representing Saint Martin's Charity. The building, though modest in size, is distinguished by the fineness of its pillars and the richness of its interior and exterior decorations.

The church of Saint-Martin is irregularly oriented, with a nave of three spans accompanied by low sides and an apse with cut strips. Its bell tower, positioned at the southwest corner, is supported by massive buttresses and surmounted by an octagonal arrow containing pyr starches. The lateral elevations and the bedside are treated, with flamboyant filling windows and trilobed arches. Inside, the arches of warheads, hanging keys and carved decorations testify to a high quality craftsmanship.

The history of the church is linked to the parish of Versigny, placed under the protection of Saint Martin de Tours. Under the Old Regime, she was dependent on the diocese of Senlis. After the Revolution, it was attached to the diocese of Beauvais. Today, it hosts Masses about a Saturday a month, performed by the parish priest of Ermenonville. The building, well preserved, remains an important testimony of Renaissance religious architecture in the region.

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