Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Notre-Dame d'Obézine church, located southeast of Angoulême in the Charente department, is a neo-Gothic building built between 1895 and 1960. It occupies the site of an 18th century chapel, demolished at the end of the same century. Inspired by the Sainte-Chapelle de Paris, the building follows a little marked Latin cross plan, with a nave of five spans completed in 1899. Architects Raymond Barbaud and Édouard (or François) Bauhain designed their plans, while brick vaults and frames mixing metal and concrete reflect modern techniques for the time.

The building spanned several decades: the crypt was completed in 1914, the choir erected in 1929, and the characteristic arrow, with its fibreglass crest, added in 1960. The stained glass windows, made in 1942 by the Mauméjean brothers, illustrate scenes from the New Testament and saints like Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort. The gothic roses and bays provide generous lighting, while the sculptures are the work of Raoul-Charles Verlet. The ensemble, owned by the commune, has been registered with the Historical Monuments since 19 September 2001.

The church thus synthesizes almost 70 years of architectural and artistic evolution, combining medieval references and 20th century innovations. Its heritage inscription highlights its historical and aesthetic interest, particularly in its stained glass windows and hybrid structure. The materials used – brick, reinforced concrete, metal – show technical adaptations over time, while preserving a neo-Gothic stylistic unit.

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