Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption of Saint-Geniès was mentioned for the first time in 1168, already dedicated to the Virgin Mary and attached to the Abbey of Saint-Amand-de-Coly. In 1283, she had two servants: the priest was dependent on the bishop, while the priory was subordinate to the abbot, who held the rights of justice in the parish. This link with Saint-Amand-de-Coly marks its medieval spiritual and seigneurial anchor.

In the 15th century, the seigneury passed partially into the hands of the Gontaut family, after the marriage of Richard de Gontaut (Captain of Montignac under Charles VI) with the heiress of the Salignac. The Gontauts then shared power with the Lassalle, while the seigneury of Pelvezy, on parish territory, fell to the Carbonnières after 1424. This period also saw the addition of side chapels and the construction of the bell tower at the end of the century, reflecting the influence of the local noble families.

The church underwent major transformations in 1872 to modernize its lighting and ventilation: piercing of windows in the choir, replacing the full eardrum with a glass emplacement, and adding a stand under the bell tower. These works, although late, preserve Romanesque (apse vaulted in cul-de-four) and Gothic (nef with dogive vaults). Ranked a historical monument in 1943, it now illustrates the architectural and social evolution of a perigordin parish, from medieval origins to 19th century restorations.

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