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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Jacques de Labour, located in Pont-l'Abbé in Brittany, is a Gothic Catholic church built between the 13th and 16th centuries. It served as a trevial church in the village of Lalbour, a suburb of Pont-l'Abbé, dependent on the parish of Combrit. Its Gothic style, influenced by the Pont-Croix School, is distinguished by decorated pillars and godron capitals. The façade, bell tower and south porch were added in the 16th century. The bell tower, square in shape with two rows of gargoyles, was beheaded in 1675 by royal troops during the revolt of the red cups, on the order of the Duke of Chaulnes, governor of Brittany.

At the end of the 19th century, the church, in very poor condition, was deprived of its roof by municipal decision, becoming a romantic ruin. Despite this, it remained used for the forgiveness of St James in July. Prior to the Revolution, it served the Trier of Labour, abolished in 1790. In the 17th century, parishioners took part in the revolt of the red cups, resulting in the partial destruction of the bell tower. The building, listed as a historic monument in 1896, houses a protohistoric stele in its enclosure.

In 1899, the statues were transferred to Notre-Dame-des-Carmes church in Pont-l'Abbé after the roof was dismantled. A cemetery surrounded the church until 1848. Since 1983, an association has been working for its restoration, relaunching annual forgiveness and organizing cultural events. The church, although in ruins, remains a symbol of the bigouden heritage, linked to local traditions such as embroidery and forgiveness.

The site also includes a stele of the Iron Age, an ancient base of a cross. Three other chapels existed in the territory of the Tribe of Labour: Saint-Gildas, Saint-Servais and Saint-Sauveur. Today, the church is a place of remembrance and celebration, animated by concerts and guided tours, while being an architectural witness of the Breton revolts and traditions.

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