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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Notre-Dame de Savigny church, located in the Manche department in Normandy, is a Catholic building whose origins date back to at least the eleventh century. According to historian Charles Duherissier of Gerville, it could be one of the oldest in the diocese of Coutances, with traces of a church before the tenth century. The foundations of the nave suggest a re-use of stones, indicating an early religious occupation of the site.

In 1107, Raoul de Brucourt, local lord, brought religious from the priory of Sainte-Barbe-en-Auge to educate his children and serve the seigneurial chapel. The church was decorated and dedicated to Notre-Dame in 1128, as evidenced by an inscription on a capital of the choir mentioning Turoldus, the first prior of Savigny. In 1165, Geoffroy de Brucourt gave the church and its tithes to the collegiate church of Sainte-Barbe-en-Auge, on condition that a religious of the priory performed the function of parish priest, a provision maintained until the Revolution.

During the Revolution, the church is used for decadal meetings, the cult of Reason, and then the supreme being. After becoming cantonal town hall until the year VIII, it underwent major works in the nineteenth century: construction of the chapel known as "to men" in 1826, restoration of the altars in 1855-1856, and addition of glass windows in 1862. In 1888, Abbé Joubin discovered 14th-century murals in the abside, representing the martyrdom of Saint Barbe and the Supper, as well as carved novel capitals.

The architecture of the church, mainly of the twelfth century, is characterized by a cul-de-four apse and a remarkable Romanesque decor. The outside modillons, carved capitals (horses, lions, interlaces) and broken stick arches illustrate Norman art of the time. Inside, Christ in majesty, carved in six joint stones, dominates the apse, while the 14th century murals, rediscovered in 1888 and 1893, enrich his artistic heritage.

The furniture includes elements classified as historical monuments, such as a bas-relief of Christ in majesty (XII century), a statue of Saint Barbe (XVI century) and a 15th century Virgin with Child, discovered in 1897. These objects, combined with paintings and architecture, underline the historical and religious importance of the site.

The church has been listed as historic monuments since 7 December 1970, recognizing its heritage value. Its history, marked by architectural transformations and artistic rediscoveries, reflects the religious, political and social evolutions of Normandy from the Middle Ages to the modern era.

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