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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Church of Notre-Dame d'Appeville, also known as Saint-Étienne, is a Catholic religious building built in the early 13th century under the auspices of the Abbey of Lessay, which owned it. It was built with a single jet, with the exception of the western porch, and probably financed by this Benedictine abbey. His plan, typical of the region, is similar to that of the churches of Gorges and Saint-Georges-de-Bohon, with a unique nave, a flat bedside choir and a salient transept.

In the 14th century, the windows, including those on the western façade, were enlarged, and foothills were added to strengthen the last span of the choir. The porch in front of the western gate, late Gothic style, dates from the 15th century. In the 16th century, the central tower was enriched with corner bells and gargoyles, while a sacristy was added in the 18th century. The nave vault and the upper part of the arrow were redone between 1876 and 1877, marking the last major changes.

The building is distinguished by its 13th century square tower, serving as both a tower-lantern and a bell tower, topped by a slender octagonal arrow. This tower features five long arches, some of which are blind, while the bays are decorated with columns and polylobes. Ranked a historic monument in 1950, the church houses remarkable furniture, including an 18th century pulpit, a 16th century bentier, and polychrome murals restored since 2010.

The liturgical furniture also includes medieval baptismal fonts, a 17th century Virgin with Child, and an 18th century lutrin. A 20th century glass window, a work by L. Mazuet, and a 17th century cemetery cross, classified separately, complete this heritage. Historical sources, such as the works of P. de Longumare (1899) and Marc Thibout (1966), underline its architectural importance and its link with the Abbey of Lessay, a regional spiritual and economic centre.

The church illustrates the evolution of architectural styles in Normandy, from the early 13th century Gothic to Renaissance and classical additions. Its classification in 1950 reflects its heritage value, while recent restorations, such as those of wall paintings, ensure its preservation. It remains an active place of worship and a witness to the religious and artistic history of Lower Normandy.

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