Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church Saint-Juvenal du Moustoir, located in the Côtes-d'Armor department in Brittany, dates from approximately 1507, as evidenced by an inscription engraved on stone. It is dedicated to Saint Juvenal, bishop of Jerusalem, an unusual choice that could result from the replacement of Saint Gwenaël, a local Breton saint not recognized by the Catholic Church. This change reflects tensions between the official clergy and regional cults.

The building was restored in 1891, preserving notable architectural and artistic elements. Among them, the ossuary and the south facade (up to the transept) have been listed as historical monuments since 1926, as have a 16th century cross located in the old cemetery. The statues of the Virgin with the Child, Saint Avit and Saint Marguerite are also part of the protected heritage.

The church illustrates Breton religious history, marked by conflicts between local traditions and ecclesiastical authority. Its ossuary, dated 1507, and its decorative elements testify to the art and funeral practices of the time. The partial protection of 1926 underscores its heritage importance, although its exact origin and the reasons for the choice of Saint Juvenal remain partially enigmatic.

External links