Timeline

Origin and history

The church of the Nativity-of-the-Very-Holy-Vierge, also called the Church of Our Lady, is the parish building of Campeneac, in the department of Morbihan. It was entirely rebuilt between 1851 and 1860 on the site of an older church. During this reconstruction, some elements of the early building were preserved and reused, including the western porch, pillars, arches, and carved stones.

The church is distinguished by its remarkable furniture, including a pulpit to preach in oak from the second half of the 19th century. This chair, 7 meters high, is supported by a statue of demon kneeling and surmounted by a representation of the archangel Michel terrorizing the dragon. A double staircase allows access, and the voice-shaft is decorated with four angels symbolizing the evangelists.

Other notable elements include an exhibition of the Holy Face, also dated from the second half of the 19th century. This polychrome wood work, 2.60 meters high, presents the Holy Face surrounded by instruments of the Passion, such as the crown of thorns, nails, hammer and whip. The church, although studied as part of the general inventory of cultural heritage in 1987 (reference IA00010311), is not classified or listed as historical monuments.

Architecturally, the church consists of three spans separated by granite cylindrical poles. These features, combined with its furniture, make it a representative example of the Breton religious heritage of the 19th century, marked by reinterpretations of medieval elements in a more recent style.

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