Church of Saint Catherine of La Flotte en Charente

Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The parish church Sainte-Catherine-d'Alexandrie, located in La Flotte in Charente-Maritime, finds its origins in a 12th century chapel dependent on Mauléon's castle. A first church, built in the 13th century, would have been destroyed around 1575. Thanks to Bishop Nicolas de la Courbe de Brée, it became an independent parish, marking its importance in the local community.

In the 17th century, the church suffered degradation during conflicts between Protestants and Catholics, especially in 1621, before being restored in 1627. In 1742, expansion was undertaken to accommodate a growing population, including the destruction of houses and sacristy. The bell tower was enhanced in 1765, adding about six meters to its height.

During the Revolution, the church was transformed into a temple of Reason, before being returned to Catholic worship in 1805. The present façade, created in 1818 by Jean Noyé, marks an important step in its renovation. The eleven stained glass windows, created between 1876 and 1878 by the company Besseyrias de Périgueux, as well as the 19th century panel and wall decorations, testify to its architectural and artistic evolution.

The south gate and the church stained glass windows have been listed as Historic Monuments since 1988, highlighting their heritage value. Its history reflects the religious, political and social upheavals of the region, from the Middle Ages to the contemporary era.

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