Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church Saint-Thomas de Soizé, located in the present delegated commune of Authon-du-Perche (Eure-et-Loir), is attested from 1117 in a charter of Thiron Abbey. From this Romanesque period some windows of the western facade remain. The building, from plan to Latin cross, includes a nave preceded by an awning and two side chapels. His major transformations took place around 1550, with the addition of a southern chapel dedicated to the Virgin, pierced on three sides and marked by a bold Renaissance style. A door of the same style dates back to this time, while a new frame then covers the nave.

In the 19th century, the church underwent major changes: a total resumption of the northern chapel, the replacement of the glasswork of the bays, and partial modification of the punches and entrances of the choir. This work is part of a desire for modernization and beautification, typical of the time. The wooden arrow, characteristic of the building, is preserved despite these changes. Classified as a Historical Monument in 2012, the church also houses a 16th century painting, The Baptism of Christ, classified in 2006, as well as 17th century paintings restored in 2006.

The sanctuary reflects the architectural and religious developments of the region, from its medieval origins to modern restoration campaigns. The chapel of the Virgin, built in 1550, illustrates particularly the influence of the Renaissance in the Perch, a region then marked by economic and artistic dynamism. The paintings and furniture bear witness to the wealth of local heritage, preserved despite recent communal mergers (2019).

Soizé, a former independent commune until 2018, preserves through this church a heritage linked to its feudal and religious history. The archives mention the place under various graphs (Soiseium, Choesay) from the 12th century, highlighting its ancient anchoring in the percheron landscape. Today, the building remains a symbol of local identity, integrated into the new municipality of Authon-du-Perche.

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