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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Orens de Dolmayrac, located in the department of Lot-et-Garonne, has its origins in the sixteenth century, when it was built as a castral chapel under the name of Saint-Barthélemy, annex of Saint-Orens. The vault key of the choir bears the coat of arms of Charles de Montpezat, local lord, attesting to his role in the foundation. The building became parish church in 1763, after its transfer by the Duke of Aiguillon, then taking the name of Saint Orens.

In the 17th century, two chapels were added south side, one authorized in 1650 by Judge Rigade (or Regal), near the choir. These spaces were redesigned around 1850, with the addition of a vault in the eastern chapel. In 1859, a renovation of the vaults was planned, and in 1890 a span was added to the nave, as well as a bell tower. The ensemble, including the choir with dogive vaults and ivy, reflects late Gothic influences.

Ranked a Historical Monument in 1927 for its choir, the church illustrates the architectural and religious evolution of the region. The adorned buttocks (like a cleric riding a pig) and seigneurial coats of arms testify to his medieval and modern past. The sources, including the work of Abbé Durengues and Georges Tholin, underline its importance in the Diocese of Agen.

Originally linked to a castral site, the church embodies the transition between seigneurial function (private chapel) and parish use, typical of rural buildings in Aquitaine. The changes of the 19th and 20th centuries (clocher, span) met the needs of a growing community, while preserving Gothic elements such as the choir's thirdons.

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