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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Germain d'Arquenay, located in the municipality of the same name, is a monument both prioral and parish. It adopts the shape of a Latin cross, with ancient architectures profoundly redesigned over the centuries. Its wooden vaults and its apparent structure support a structure marked by a Gothic-style windowing. Inside, the high altar houses a 17th-century altarpiece, always accompanied by its original painting, La Resurrection, as well as polychrome terracotta statues. The later side retables date back to the 19th century, while the back of the altar is decorated with black marble from Louverné.

The inventory of church property, a notable event in its history, took place on February 12, 1906. This inventory, often linked to the laws of separation of churches and the state in France at the beginning of the twentieth century, marks a period of transition for religious buildings, although the text does not specify the specific details of Arquenay.

The building is mentioned in the Dictionnaire historique, topographie et biographie de la Mayenne (1900-1910), written by Alphonse-Victor Angot and Ferdinand Gaugain. This book, a reference for the local heritage, highlights the historical and architectural importance of the church in the department of Mayenne, although the source text does not provide additional information about its construction or its founders.

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