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Origin and history

The church of the Transfiguration of Payzac, located in the eponymous village of Dordogne, finds its origins in the 11th century, before being profoundly redesigned in the 12th century. At that time, it was adjacent to the local feudal castle, its apse being integrated into a building adjacent to the east, as evidenced by the cadastre of 1820. The western gate has a armored key, partially hammered during the Revolution, but identified as belonging to the family Du Mas, lords of Payzac. This detail highlights the close link between the building and the local nobility, who own the land and the fief.

In the 19th century, the church suffered major damage and extensive repairs. As early as 1811, the glazes of the nave ceiling, not arched, were in poor condition before a part collapsed in February 1817. The damaged bell tower structure was repaired in 1841 and its torso arrow covered with slates. In 1871, architect Henri Nalet proposed a complete reconstruction of the nave, finally carried out in 1879 by the perigordin entrepreneurs E. Dellavalle and A. Bertoletti. This work, of exceptional magnitude, led to a new consecration of the church on 5 September 1880. A presbytery was added in 1892, completing the major changes to the site.

The church, protected by a decree of inscription in 1995 (with the exception of the contemporary sacristy), now embodies a heritage both medieval and post-revolutionary. Its history reflects the architectural and political upheavals, from its initial role in the seigneurial enclosure to its modern restorations, marked by 19th century engineering.

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