Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Sainte-Colombe, located in the historic district of Saintes (Charente-Maritime), is mentioned for the first time in charters since 1340. It was one of the intramural parishes of the medieval city and was probably rebuilt for the first time in the 15th century. Its architecture preserves traces of this time, like an epitaph dated 1588 dedicated to Françoise de La Vallade, wife of Ythier Senné, former mayor of Saintes (1574-1575).

Damaged during the wars of religion, the church was completely renovated in the seventeenth century, with a notable feature: its orientation was reversed. This reshaping explains its atypical appearance, marked by a rectangular portal piercing the old bedside, adorned with a flamboyant gothic glass roof. This major transformation can be seen from the dogive crossovers of the nave, dated from this period.

In the 19th century, the site served as a chapel for Carmelites before being desecrated after the construction of the church of Notre-Dame-de-Recouvrance. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was converted into a warehouse for the regional cooperative "La Saintaise". Repurchased and restored in 2000, it now belongs to the Society of St. Pius X and has been welcoming the faithful of the tridentine rite since 2003.

Its history reflects the religious and social upheavals of Saints, from its medieval parish role to its contemporary rehabilitation. Historical sources, such as the works of Abbé Briard (1850) or those of Ch. Dangibeaud, documented his vicissitudes, especially during the wars of religion, where Saintongese Catholics were persecuted.

External links