Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Saint-Vaast church of Saint-Vaast-de-Longmont, located in the Oise department in the Hauts-de-France region, is a religious building of Romanesque origin that began construction around the year 1100. Associated with a priory attached to the abbey of Saint-Vaast d'Arras, it was originally designed with a rectangular nave without vault, a chorus span and a cul-de-four bedside. The first modifications took place as early as 1120-1130 with the addition of a north side and a chapel, while the bell tower, remarkable for its sculpted geminous berries, was completed shortly afterwards.

Around 1160-1170, the original bedside was replaced by a primitive Gothic choir, composed of a straight span and a vaulted apse of warheads. The western gate, redone in the middle of the 12th century, has a quadruple archvolt in point-of-diamant, while the bell tower, decorated with sculpted capitals and columns, underwent modifications in 1669 for reasons of stability. In the 16th century, the north side is almost entirely rebuilt, and a porch is added in front of the gate.

Ranked a historic monument in 1883, the church retains remarkable furniture, including 15th and 16th century statues and a bell of 1789. Its history is linked to that of the parish of Saint-Vaast-de-Longmont, one of the first of the Valois, and to the abbey of Saint-Vaast d'Arras, on which the provost of Angicourt depended. After the Revolution, the parish was attached to the diocese of Beauvais, and the church, although partially disused, remained an occasional place of worship.

The architecture of the church reflects its many building campaigns, with a Romanesque nave with original walls, a primitive Gothic choir inspired by the chapels of Senlis Cathedral, and a bell tower considered one of the most beautiful in the Oise. The wall paintings, carved capitals and blind archatures bear witness to the artistic richness of the building, while its classified furniture, including a 16th century Virgin of Mercy, underscores its heritage importance.

The location of the church, on the edge of the forest and surrounded by agricultural land, is explained by the scattered development of the village of Saint-Vaast-de-Longmont, without a city center. Near Verberie, it was once a place of pilgrimage dedicated to Saint Vaast, invoked for problems of walking among children. Today, although the parish is attached to Verberie, the church still hosts special celebrations, perpetuating its role in local life.

External links