Construction of church 4e quart XVe siècle - 1er quart XVIe siècle (≈ 1587)
Flamboyant Gothic period, initial construction.
1859
Imperial Donation
Imperial Donation 1859 (≈ 1859)
Cross path offered by Eugénie.
24 octobre 1994
MH classification
MH classification 24 octobre 1994 (≈ 1994)
Protection for historical monuments.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Church (Box AB 207): Order of 24 October 1994
Key figures
Impératrice Eugénie - Benefactor
Offered the Way of the Cross in 1859.
Famille Morel - Local Lords
Funeral liter in the church.
Origin and history
Saint-Mathieu de Stainville Church, located in the Meuse department in the Grand East region, is a Catholic religious building built between the 4th quarter of the 15th century and the 1st quarter of the 16th century. It illustrates the flamboyant Gothic style, characterized by refined architectural details and marked verticality. Its bell tower, typical of this period, dominates the local landscape and bears witness to the importance of the place in medieval community life.
The church's seigneurial chapel was directly connected to the nearby castle by a bridge leading to a small Renaissance gate, still visible on the south transept. This connection materializes the close link between seigneurial power and sacred space, reinforced by the presence of a funeral liter with the weapons of the Morel family, a distinctive mark of their influence. These elements highlight the central role of the building, both a place of worship and a symbol of local authority.
In the 19th century, the church enjoyed a remarkable addition: a romantic cross path, offered by Empress Eugénie during her visit in 1859. This imperial gift reflects the continued importance of the site, even after the medieval period. Classified as a historical monument in 1994, the church is now protected for its architectural heritage and history, while remaining a place of memory for the municipality of Stainville.
The building, owned by the commune, is located on Rue de l'Eglise in Stainville, in a setting where religious and seigneurial architecture mixes. Its classification by decree of 24 October 1994 covers the entire church (cadastre AB 207), thus preserving a major testimony of the flamboyant Gothic in Lorraine. Available sources, such as Wikipedia and the Merimée base, confirm its status as an emblematic monument of the Meuse department.
