Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church Saint-Pierre de Montdidier, built from the 1460s, is a major testimony of religious architecture of the 15th and 16th centuries. Its oldest parts, like the low vaults dated 1460, reveal a typical plan of the hall churches, without transept and with collaterals of an unusual height. The flamboyant Gothic portal, erected in 1538 by the master mason Chaperon (also active at the cathedral of Beauvais), illustrates the stylistic evolution of the period. In spite of its incompleteness in the 16th century, the building retains remarkable elements such as a burial at the tomb of the first quarter of the 16th century, influenced by Italian art, and a 14th century layer dedicated to Raoul de Crépy, Count of Montdidier died in 1074.

The First World War deeply marked the history of the church: Montdidier, almost entirely destroyed in 1918, saw his St. Peter's church rebuilt identically during the inter-war period. This restoration involved both the structure (voûts, plan) and the furniture, with woodwork, confessionals and secondary altars redone in the original style. Ranked a historic monument in 1920, the church also houses preserved ancient pieces, such as a 12th century Romanesque baptismal tank in Tournai black stone, classified in 1897, or a Romanesque Christ in the choir. These elements, combined with a 16th century pulpit, bell and window, highlight the heritage richness of the building.

Among the treasures of the church, the north side exhibits two classified works: the gissant of Raoul de Crépy, a rare example of medieval funeral sculpture, and a burial in the 16th century, classified in 1907, which bears witness to artistic exchanges with Italy. The south side, on the other hand, hosts the 12th century baptismal vats, adorned with vegetal motifs and archatures, while the choir preserves a Roman Christ and an organ stand of the era. These elements, combined with the characteristic architecture, make Saint-Pierre an emblematic building of Picardic heritage, combining medieval heritage and post-war renaissance.

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