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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Vénérand de Laval originated in the desire of François de Laval, Count of Gavre (later Guy XV), to meet the spiritual needs of the inhabitants of Pont-de-Mayenne. In 1485, he laid the foundation stone of the building, motivated by the distance from the former parish church of Saint-Melaine, which had become unsuitable for population growth linked to the trade in canvas. The count also offers a precious relic: part of the chief of St.Venerand, preserved until then in his castle of Acquigny, to attract the faithful to this new place of worship.

The work, financed by the donations of parishioners and the liberalities of the Counts of Laval, spanned several decades. As early as 1490, a temporary chapel made it possible to celebrate Masses there, while the relics of St.Venerand were transferred there. In 1520, the nave and transepts were completed, but financial difficulties delayed official consecration. It finally took place on 20 January 1521, presided over by Jean Tisserot, bishop in partibus, who blessed eight altars and the dedicated cemetery. The church, now parish, symbolizes the rise of the suburbs and local piety.

In the 16th century, the building was enriched by the prosperity of merchants, especially those trading with Spain. The stained glass windows, such as La Crucifixion de Raoul de Nimègues (16th century), and the retables testify to this opulence. However, religious tensions also marked its history: in 1537, Huguenots were expelled from Laval by royal order, and their property confiscated. Despite these disturbances, the extensions continued, with the addition of chapels (such as that of Saint-André in 1697) and the expansion of the cemetery.

The 17th and 18th centuries saw the church adapt to liturgical and demographic changes. In 1605 the Brotherhood of the Blessed Sacrament was founded there, and in 1676 the service of the Forty Hours was established there to counter the excesses of the Carnival. Significant incidents, such as lightning striking the altar in 1686 or the pollution of the cemetery in 1700, punctuated its history. In the 18th century, additional relics (including those of Saint Charles Borromée in 1772) were deposited there, while works embellished the choir and sacristy.

The French Revolution temporarily transformed the church into a forage store (1793-1795), before it was restored in the 19th century. Elements such as the jube or retables are then modified or sold to standardize the Gothic style, under the leadership of Abbé Gérault. The ancient stained glass windows, restored several times (notably in 1995), and the retables of the 17th and 18th centuries (like that of the Virgin, dated 1610) remain today, bearing witness to her rich past.

Classified as a Historic Monument in 1975, Saint-Vénérand's church embodies almost six centuries of Lavallois history, mixing devotion, power and community life. Its architectural transformations — from the 15th century arrow to Baroque chapels — reflect the artistic and social evolution of Mayenne, while its relics and stained glass windows make it an exceptional place of religious memory.

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