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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The church Saint-Pierre de Chemillé, located in the village Saint-Pierre de Chemillé-en-Anjou (Maine-et-Loire), is a religious building whose origins date back to the 11th century, with major additions in the 16th century. It is distinguished by its blend of Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles, as well as by a slightly inclined choir, symbolizing the position of the head of Christ on the cross. The church is connected to the Château des Cloîtres and houses a 1911 polyphone organ, built by Louis Debierre, as well as a permanent exhibition on the Vendée Wars.

Ranked a Historical Monument in 1969, the church retains notable medieval elements, such as the 11th century choir and bell tower, the 11th and 16th century transept, and a 13th century portal. His 13th century murals, visible in the north abside of the bedside, as well as his connection to the French Revolution, mark his heritage importance. During the Revolution, the parish priest Pierre Cochard, who resisted the oath of fidelity to the civil constitution of the clergy, was deported to Spain in 1792 before returning to Anjou after the Concordat of 1802.

The building, owned by the commune, plays a central role in local memory, notably through the tomb of François Morigné, parish priest of Saint-Pierre from 1802 to 1820, still visible in the adjacent cemetery. Its architecture and history reflect the religious and political upheavals of Anjou, from the Middle Ages to the contemporary era.

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