Initial construction 1er quart XIIIe siècle (≈ 1325)
The main foundation period of the building.
1932
Registration for historical monuments
Registration for historical monuments 1932 (≈ 1932)
Official protection of the monument by the State.
1990
Theft of the statue of the Holy Vierge
Theft of the statue of the Holy Vierge 1990 (≈ 1990)
Disappeared from a major church work.
2021
Restitution of the stolen statue
Restitution of the stolen statue 2021 (≈ 2021)
Return of the work after identification by antique dealers.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Saint Peter's Church (cad. AB 131): inscription by order of 11 September 1987
Key figures
Deux antiquaires (non nommés) - Acquers and restors
The stolen statue was found in 1990.
Maire de Longpré-le-Sec (non nommé) - Municipal representative
Organized the restitution ceremony in 2021.
Origin and history
Saint-Pierre de Longpré-le-Sec Church is a Catholic religious building located in the department of the Aube, in the Grand Est region. Built mainly in the 1st quarter of the 13th century, it underwent modifications in the 16th and 17th centuries. This monument thus reflects several architectural periods, typical of the rural churches of Champagne-Ardenne. Its inscription in the historic monuments in 1932 shows its heritage importance, although its precise location remains approximate according to the available archives.
In 1990, a statue of the Sainte-Vierge was stolen from this church. Rediscovered by chance in 2021 by two antique dealers at an auction, it was returned to the commune after research carried out in collaboration with the Archives de l'Aube and the management of the museums of Troyes. This episode illustrates the challenges of preserving religious heritage, often exposed to theft and dispersal of sacred art works.
The Saint-Pierre church, owned by the commune, is mentioned in the Mérimée and Clochers bases of France, confirming its status as a protected historical monument. Its official address, 5 Rue de l'Église, and its Insee code (10205) clearly place it in the Aube territory. Despite being considered poor (level 5/10), it remains a cultural and religious anchor for the village of Longpré-le-Sec.
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