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Origin and history

Saint Vincent des Ulmes Church, located in the Ulmes commune in Maine-et-Loire, is a religious building dating back to the 12th century. Its nave dates from the last quarter of the 11th century, while the choir, bell tower and southern facade of the nave were built in the 12th century. The bedside was redesigned in the 13th century, and subsequent modifications took place in the 16th and 17th centuries, including the addition of a porch and the overhaul of the west gate. In 1898, the nave was divided into two vessels by Dusouchay.

The monument is best known for the "Miracle of the Ulmas", a Eucharistic event on 2 June 1668. During worship, about 200 faithful would have seen Christ's face appear in a host for a quarter of an hour. This miracle, declared authentic by the Bishop of Angers Henri Arnauld in July 1668, attracted pilgrims until the eighteenth century. During the Revolution, the miraculous host was transferred to a nearby parish, where it was consumed by the local priest. The miracle is still commemorated today.

The church was listed as historical monuments on 20 November 1972. It belongs to the Commune of the Ulmes and remains a place of memory for the faithful and historians. Its architectural structure, marked by successive additions and changes, reflects the stylistic and religious evolutions of the region throughout the centuries.

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