Timeline

Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Georges de Damery, located in the Marne, has its origins in the early twelfth century, linked to the Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Médard de Soissons. In 1101, a conflict broke out between the bishop of Soissons and Abbé Raoul concerning the altar of the church, finally returned to the monks. Around 1150-1160, the Romanesque nave and its characteristic portal are erected on old foundations, while a priory settles there, as evidenced by a charter of 1171 mentioning a provost.

In the 13th century, the Gothic choir and transept were rebuilt around 1250 by the monks of Saint-Médard, marking the architectural climax of the site. The term Saint-Georges first appeared in 1242. The church, the seat of a priory until the 16th century, underwent major transformations in the 17th century: in 1602, William of Baradat, the new lord of Damery, added a seigneurial chapel (now sacristy). The priory was partially sold to the prince of Condé in 1563, but the abbey retained its seigneurial rights until the Revolution.

Classified as a historic monument in 1911, the church went through world wars with limited damage (glasses and roofs in 1918 and 1945). Restored in the 19th century by Abbé Thibault (1858-1886), she saw her choir embellished with stained glass in 1863 and her furniture enriched with Louis XVI elements. His organ, whose buffet Regence dates back to 1792, and its carved capitals (flowers, monsters, hunting scenes) bear witness to his exceptional artistic heritage.

The building thus combines two distinct periods: the nave and the transept romans (1150-1160), and the Gothic choir (circa 1250). Its 16th century stained glass windows, re-used in rose, could come from Guillaume de Baradat. Today attached to the diocese of Châlons-en-Champagne, it embodies almost nine centuries of religious and architectural history in Champagne.

Its furniture includes 16th-century baptismal fonts, 18th-century paintings (including a Virgin with Child signed L. Wateau, 1753), and wrought iron grilles of 1767. The bell tower, comparable to that of Mont Saint-Michel, and the carved arch keys (like a priest in prayer) complete to make this place a jewel of Marnais heritage.

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