Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The parish church Saint-Jean-l'Évangéliste de Lencouacq, located in the Landes department in New Aquitaine, finds its origins in a probably Romanesque foundation. The present building is the result of a major reconstruction between 1770 and 1785, after its destruction in 1569 by the Huguenot troops of Thoiras during the Wars of Religion. Partially restored after these events, the church was completely redesigned in the 18th century, although some decorative elements, such as the facade capitals, remained unfinished. Its square tower tower, originally designed to receive an arrow, and its bedside covered with a bell tower dome illustrate this combination of architectural ambition and historical constraints.

In the 19th century, the church underwent major transformations: a north side was added in 1856, and the choir was embellished in 1866 by murals on marouflé canvases, made by the Montois painter Duval. The baldaquin, a remarkable element of the building, would come according to the local tradition of the former St. John Baptist Cathedral of Bazas, offered by a benefactor. These additions reflect the evolution of artistic tastes and the desire to enhance local religious heritage.

Ranked among historical monuments in 2015 for its architectural and furniture interest, the church houses a master altar in red marble, side altars in precious wood, as well as a pulpit and statues dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Since 2017, the Lencouacq Culture and Heritage Association has been working for its preservation and restoration, highlighting its central role in the history and community life of the village, alongside the Bessaut Hospital Order.

External links