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Origin and history

The church Our Lady of the Assumption of Béalcourt is located at the place called Mons, a village today disappeared, on the territory of the commune of Béalcourt, in the department of the Somme. Its existence is attested by 1230, but the current building dates back to the 16th century. The church is distinguished by its quadrangular bell tower overlooking the cross of the transept and its sober facade, reinforced by brick foothills surrounding the gate. It is built of stone and covered with slates, typical of the Picardy religious architecture of that time.

The Chapel of the Virgin, a remarkable part of the building, was protected as historical monuments by an order of 4 March 1926. Inside, the church houses a 17th-century high altar, decorated with a altarpiece representing the Holy Family and supported by Corinthian columns. Among the works of art preserved are classified statues, such as the Savior of the world, a Virgin with the Child and the Eternal Father. However, headangel of the high altar was stolen in 2002, recalling the risks involved.

The building illustrates the religious and architectural heritage of the Hauts-de-France, with late Gothic and Renaissance influences. Its history also reflects the evolution of cultural and artistic practices in Picardia, between the Middle Ages and the modern era. The location in Mons, a disappeared hamlet, adds a historical dimension to this monument, a witness to the territorial transformations of the region.

Available sources, such as the Merimée database and Wikipedia, confirm its communal ownership status and its openness to the public, although the practical details (visits, schedules) are not specified. The church remains a significant example of the rural Christian heritage, marked by partial protections and active conservation despite the hazards of time.

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