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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of St Peter of Thimert, located in Thimert-Gâtelles in Eure-et-Loir, has its origins in the 11th century, although its oldest still visible parts date mainly from the 12th century. The nave, separated from the lower side by broken arcs supported by square piles, bears witness to this period. Two 16th-century windows, partially destroyed in 1940 and restored in 1959, as well as a 17th-century wooden statue representing perhaps Saint Paul, are classified as historical monuments as objects.

The history of the church is marked by its donation in 1091 by Hugues de Châteauneuf to the Abbey of Saint-Florentin of Bonneval, which establishes a priory there. Several changes took place in the 12th, 14th and 16th centuries: the bedside was demolished and replaced by a chapel in the 14th century, while the transept was rebuilt in the 16th century. The bell tower, destroyed by lightning in 1701, was rebuilt identically. In 2023, an archaeological study including drone scanning was conducted by the departmental council.

The church, listed as a historical monument since 1932 and fully classified in 2021, retains various architectural elements, reflecting its evolution throughout the centuries. The glass windows of the 16th century, though fragmentary, illustrate Renaissance art, while the successive transformations reveal the adaptations of the building to liturgical and community needs. His parish cemetery, recently studied, also offers clues about his central role in local life since the Middle Ages.

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