Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul de Guise, located in the department of Aisne, is a religious building whose major reconstruction begins in the middle of the sixteenth century (from 1535) and ends at the end of the same century. The coat of arms of the Lorraine family, carved on the vault keys of the choir, suggest their financial involvement or sponsor in this project. The church, built mainly in limestone with brick elements (pignons, sacristy, restorations), is covered with a variety of arches and roofs (pignons, half croupes, pavilion). Its southern portal, rebuilt in 1853, is the work of sculptor Lecompte-Roger.

In the 17th century, the church suffered damage during wars and sieges, requiring visible restorations thanks to the brick parts. The French Revolution deprived her of her furniture and further damaged her. Made to worship at the beginning of the 19th century, it was the subject of an extensive restoration campaign between the 1840s and 1853, marked by arch keys dated 1849 and 1850. The northern gate, rebuilt in 1853, bears the signature of Lecompte-Roger, a sculptor from Liesse.

The First World War caused further damage to the building, resulting in restoration in 1931. This phase includes the addition of a sacristy and installation of Art Deco stained glass windows created by Raphaël Lardeur. The church was finally consecrated on 11 November 1933, after these works. Enlisted as historical monuments in 1927, it illustrates the architectural evolutions and historical vicissitudes of the region, from the wars of Religion to the Great War.

The building thus blends Gothic elements (dogive vaults, limestone structure) and more recent additions (brick, Art Deco stained glass windows). The roofs, of various shapes (covered sprockets, half croupes, pavilion), protect the five vessels of the nave and the choir. The sacristy, added in 1931, completes this architectural ensemble, while the coat of arms of Lorraine and the engraved dates (1535, 1550, 1853, 1931) recall the key stages of its history.

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