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Origin and history

The ancient church of Beausais-Vitré, of Romanesque origin, dates back to the 12th century for its oldest parts, although its first written mention did appear only in the 14th century in a stiletto of the diocese of Poitiers. His apse, covered with a round rump, and his choir in large apparatus testify to this medieval period. The building, originally Catholic, suffered damage during the wars of Religion, as evidenced by the acts of 1599 and 1601 evoking the financing of new bells, probably destroyed during these conflicts.

From the 18th century, parishioners reported repeated degradations (walls, frames, bell tower), requiring regular repairs. The Revolution marked a turning point: the church, which became communal property, was ceded to the Protestants in 1803 (year XI) to serve as a temple. This assignment was confirmed in 1833 by the Presbyteral Council. Between 1838 and 1907, several construction campaigns transformed the building, including the piercing of bays in 1843, the reshaping of the façade in 1873 (addition of an oculus, Protestant symbol), and the restoration of the choir and abside after their classification in 1911.

In the 20th century, a major restoration of the choir and abside was carried out between 1983 and 1995. Today, the temple retains a dual vocation: a place of occasional Protestant worship and a museum space dedicated to Poitevin Protestantism, illustrating its evolution since the Middle Ages. Leabside and the choir, classified as Historical Monuments since 1911, remain the most emblematic elements of his Romanesque heritage.

The stone engraved from the date 1686, reused over a bay of the nave, could correspond to works commissioned by M. Vallée, parish priest at that time, although this hypothesis is not confirmed by the sources. The successive transformations reflect both the changing cultural needs and the challenges of preserving a major architectural heritage in New Aquitaine.

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