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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Église Saint-Éloi d'Aunay-sous-Auneau, located in the Eure-et-Loir department in the Centre-Val de Loire region, is a Catholic building built from the twelfth to the sixteenth century. Classified as a historical monument since 10 December 1909, it is dedicated to Saint Eloi, patron saint of the blacksmiths, and was built in several stages, reflecting the architectural evolutions and the income generated by the pilgrimage to this saint, invoked for the protection of cattle and horses. Its 12th century octagonal bell tower, richly decorated and visible to several leagues, rests on a rectangular Romanesque base, while the abside preserves a 12th century altar stone, rediscovered in the 19th century.

In the 13th century, the church grew thanks to the revenues of the pilgrimage, with the addition of a main nave vaulted stone, a singularity in the area where churches were often covered with wooden panelling. This development bears witness to the richness of the parish. The nave, higher than the choir, is composed of three spans, and its stone vault distinguishes it from other local buildings. The cult of Saint Eloi, combined with a miraculous well for horses, probably played a key role in this expansion.

In the 15th century, the church was again enlarged, with the addition of a north side bottom in the flamboyant Gothic style, recognizable by its windows and arch keys decorated with pendants. A north chapel is raised, illuminated by two large windows, and a turret is built to house a staircase leading to the attic and bell tower. These changes reflect a period of peace and prosperity. In the 19th century, restorations were undertaken to repair revolutionary destructions, and medieval elements, such as tombstones and a primitive altar, were preserved or rediscovered.

The interior furniture of the church includes remarkable elements, such as a medieval swimming pool with double evacuation hole, two tombstones (including that of deacon Clement, classified as a historical monument), an 18th century altarpiece representing Saint Eloi, and 17th century stalls. A wooden statue of Saint Éloi (XVIIIe) and a 19th century polyphone organ, built by Louis Debierre, complete this ensemble. The organ, installed in 1897, is notable for its solid oak chest and its "polyphone" system, allowing to use a single pipe for several notes.

The building, owned by the commune, is a major architectural and historical testimony of the region. Its bell tower, its vaulted nave, and its classified furniture make it a rich place of heritage, linked to both the local devotion and the artisanal and agricultural history of the Beauce. Available sources from Wikipedia and Monumentum highlight its importance in the religious and monumental landscape of Eure-et-Loir.

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