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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Church of Our Lady of Andance, located in the department of Ardèche, is a building built mainly between the late twelfth and late thirteenth centuries, with major changes in the nineteenth century. She illustrates the transition between late Romanesque and Gothic styles, notably in her chorus completed thanks to Bertrand de Colombier, abbot of Cluny native of Andance. Its porch, erected in 1859, commemorates the first mission of Saint Jean-François Régis, founder of the local brotherhood of the Blessed Sacrament. This monument, marked by destruction during the Wars of Religion (1568, 1575), was restored in the seventeenth century under the impulse of the Jesuits of the College of Tournon.

As early as the 12th century, Andance housed a priory dependent on the abbey of the Chaise-Dieu, around which many parishes (Andance, Saint-Désirat, etc.) lived. In 1536 the priory was attached to the Collège de Tournon, then entrusted to the Jesuits in 1561 until their dissolution at the end of the 18th century. The church, burned and looted during the religious conflicts, was partially rebuilt in 1624, with a vault lowered under the original capitals. Jean-François Régis carried out his first mission there as a young Jesuit philosopher, leaving a lasting impression on the community.

Ranked a historic monument in 1927, the church experienced notable servicemen such as Father Caillet (1850-1878), local historian, or Father Chirossel, founder of a manecantery. In the 20th century, its restoration was carried out by the regular canons of Saint Augustine, before its integration into the parish of Sainte-Croix du Rhône. Its interior, sober and functional, highlights liturgical elements such as the altar, the ambon, and the tabernacle, reflecting its central role in local religious life since the Middle Ages.

The kreisker-type bell tower, close to the choir, and the side door to south capitals bear witness to its mixed architectural heritage. Bertrand de Colombier's coat of arms, visible on the vault key and sacristy, recall his patronage in the 13th century. The cross of crews, classified object, and the statue of Saint Jean-François Régis (1859) highlight his movable and commemorative heritage, linked to the social and religious history of the Ardèche.

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