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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Jacques de Moutiers-les-Mauxfaits, built at the end of the 12th century (circa 1170-1180), replaces a more modest earlier building. Originally dedicated to Saint Michael, she adopted the term Saint James in 1451 under the impulse of Pope Eugene IV, in order to boost the local economy by exploiting her position on a secondary road to Santiago de Compostela. This change also reflects the development of the village, attested by the construction of market halls at the same time. The name Moutiers (plural) comes from the two medieval priories present on site, including the one associated with this church, forming a cloister with three other buildings.

The church, in late Poitevin Romanesque style, blends nascent Gothic influences (like slightly broken vaults) while maintaining marked Romanesque characteristics: nave with three vessels, ungrounded double arches, and alternate column columns. Bertrand de Got, future Pope Clement V, visit Moutiers-les-Mauxmade in 1305 during his visit to Bas-Poitou. During the Wars of Religion, the building underwent two lootings (1568 and 1622), then became a warehouse during the Revolution, before being restored to worship in 1803.

In the 19th century, the church underwent important changes: the rectangular apse was replaced by a semicircular apse in 1840, the bell tower was rebuilt in 1867, and the present furniture was installed in 1890. Classified as a Historical Monument in 1908, it now bears witness to this turbulent history, from its role in pilgrimages to its modern restoration. Its granite architecture, with cradle vaults and batteries adapted to support the bell tower, makes it a remarkable example of the vendean Romanesque heritage.

Originally, the church was the heart of a priory whose adjoining buildings disappeared. A second priory, with its own church, also existed in the village, reinforcing the monastic character (moutier) of the place. The circular bases of the pillars, partially covered in the 20th century to install the furniture, recall the successive modifications of the building. Only a base, spared in 1974, retains its original state.

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