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Origin and history

The Saint-Étienne church of Chaumont-sur-Tharonne finds its origins in a medieval parish placed in the 12th century under the jurisdiction of a local abbey. Originally, this parish consisted of two churches: Saint-Étienne and Saint-Georges, the latter having been destroyed in 1812. The present building, rebuilt at the end of the 15th century on its primitive location, is distinguished by its unique ship ended with a three-sided apse, as well as a side chapel added to the north.

The structure of the bell tower, dominating the ship to the northwest, is characteristic of the early sixteenth century, with twin bays and an interior staircase now extinct. A crypt under the nave used to be a burial. In 1728 the walls of the nave and the choir were covered with woodwork, marking a beautification phase. The monument, partially protected since 1992, preserves architectural elements of the 15th, 16th and 19th centuries, reflecting its evolution over the centuries.

The Saint-Étienne church illustrates the religious and architectural history of Chaumont-sur-Tharonne, linked to the influence of the local abbey and the successive transformations of its building. Its bell tower and seigneurial chapel, dating from the early 16th century, testify to the importance of the building in the community and seigneurial life of the time. The destruction of Saint-Georges in 1812 and the conservation of Saint-Étienne also highlight the heritage choices made in the 19th century.

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