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Origin and history

The St. Lawrence church, located in St. Lawrence, in the Côtes d'Armor, has its origins in a foundation linked to the Hospitallers of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. The rulers of the Palacret, spiritual and temporal lords of the place, were its founders, with the right to appoint the rector of the parish. A tombstone dated 1449, now moved to the church, as well as 17th and 18th century commander's weapons, attest to this medieval origin. The present building, largely redesigned, preserves architectural elements of the 14th–15th centuries, such as the southern porch, while its Lannion style wall bell tower dates from 1649–50.

The etymology of the place, initially Lanlouran (late 14th century), evokes a Breton hermitage (lan), before evolving under Catholic influence towards St. Laurans (XVI century), then St. Lawrence in the 18th century. The name pays homage to Saint Laurent, a deacon martyred in Rome in 259, although no homonymous Breton saint is attested. The Hospitallers, through the command of the Palacret, marked the long-term history of the site, as evidenced by the coats of arms of Commanders René de Saint-Offange (1612–1641) and Jacques de Jalesnes (1642–1659) integrated into the parish enclosures.

The architecture of the church combines construction phases spread from the 14th to the 19th century. The southern porch, adorned with lobed arches and quadrilobes, dates from the 14th-15th centuries, while the wall bell tower, characteristic of the region, was erected in 1649-1650. A northern collateral, rebuilt between 1895 and 1897, completes the nave. Inside, the painted panels (1859–65) by the Le Loyer family, originally from Stables, illustrate biblical and hagiographic scenes in Breton, reflecting local piety. The 17th century retable, classified, and a 16th century alabaster bas-relief (Nottingham workshop) highlight the artistic richness of the place.

The notable statues include St. Lawrence and the Virgin, framing the altarpiece, as well as a Christ on a 15th century polychrome cross. These elements, combined with the murals and the missing stained glass windows (formerly carrying the weapons of the Commanders), recall the two medieval and modern heritage of the building. Ranked a Historic Monument in 1926, the church remains a testament to the links between the Hospitallers, the local nobility and the Breton parish community.

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