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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The church of Saint-Denis de Resous is a Catholic religious building located in the commune of Resous, in the department of Marne (Great East region). Built in the 11th century, it embodies the Romanesque architecture of the region, with local materials such as chalk and cut stone in the surroundings of Vertus. Its gate in the middle, decorated with chevrons and carved capitals, opens onto an interior structured in three naves separated by pillars.

During the First World War, the church suffered serious destruction during the first battle of the Marne in September 1914: bombardments, fires and looting left it in ruins. It is classified as a historical monument by order of 15 January 1916, even as the fighting continues and then restored after the war. Its architecture combines typical elements of the novel, such as the Lombardic bands of the libside or the 16th century stained glass windows, and unique details, such as the capitals of the transept cross-section.

Inside, two side altars are dedicated respectively to Saint Denis and to the Virgin Mary. The choir, vaulted and bright, contrasts with the cul-de-four abside, pierced with columns, some of which are blind. An unidentified 14th century funerary slab is classified as a protected object. The building, owned by the commune, remains a testament to local history and resilience to conflict.

The church is located at 1, rue de l'Abbé-Gironde (or 1, rue de l'Eglise according to the sources), in a village marked by its medieval past and scars of 1914. Its early ranking in 1916 emphasized its heritage importance, while its stained glass windows and Romanesque structure made it a subject of study for Champagne religious art.

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