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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Laurent de Médillac is a religious building dating back to the 12th century, located in the village of Médillac, Charente (New Aquitaine). It was profoundly altered in the 15th century, especially after the damage suffered during the Hundred Years' War and the destruction perpetrated by the Calvinists. This restoration work includes the addition of massive foothills and the partial reconstruction of the structure, while maintaining its original orientation and unique nave without transept.

Ranked as historic monuments in 1970, the church is distinguished by its flat-roofed square bell tower, pierced with twin-bedded bays on each side. The apse, cul-de-four on the outside, is decorated with almost blind internal arches, while the outer arches, surmounted by a frieze, rest on pilasters. Under the bell tower, a dome on pendants, framed with double arches, marks the false square. The building, owned by the commune, bears witness to the architectural changes and historical tumults of the region.

Originally attached to the diocese of Saintes, St.Lawrence Church illustrates the transformations suffered by religious buildings in times of conflict. The restorations of the fifteenth century, in response to the destructions, reflect the necessary adaptations to preserve these places of worship. Today, it remains a characteristic example of medieval Christian architecture in Poitou-Charentes, mixing Romanesque elements and late Gothic additions.

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