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Origin and history

The church of Sainte-Madeleine in Segré finds its origins in a modest rectangular chapel, whose portal recalled that of the church of Lion-d-Angers. Over time, successive enlargements gave it a "covered market" appearance, considered unflattering by the inhabitants. The building, falling into ruins, was completely rebuilt between 1835 and 1842 by architect Dellêtre. He opted for a sober neo-Greek style, described by Célestin Port as "a simple rectangle [...] without pretension to great art". The land was expanded to the hillside of Oudon, marking a first renaissance for the church.

In 1887, parish priest Toublanc launched a subscription to embellish the building, collecting 65,127.50 francs from 400 donors. With the help of the commune (25 000 francs) and the state (10 000 francs), he entrusted the works to the architect Auguste Beignet, already author of the town hall of Segré. He adjusted the choir and transept between 1890 and 1896, transforming the austere "Greek ship" into an Italian-style church, inaugurated solemnly on 7 April 1896 in the presence of the bishop and the elected. The building, registered for historical monuments in 2007, benefited from a four-phase restoration from 2013, at a cost of €900,000.

The current architecture combines a doric bell tower, an octagonal dome with lanternon, and chapels decorated with similar domes. Inside, the doric order dominates, with cots in the middle and glass glasses. The painted decors of Duban and Clamens glass windows highlight the interior volumes, while the slate (excluding zinc apse) covers the roofs. The façade, homogeneous despite its additions, reflects this duality between initial neoclassicism and subsequent Italian embellishments.

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