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Origin and history

The church Sainte-Mélaine de Pacé, located in the Ille-et-Vilaine department in Brittany, is a monument whose origins date back to at least the twelfth century, with Romanesque remains visible in the south wall. The current building, mainly built in the 14th and 15th centuries, bears witness to a complex architectural evolution. The unique nave, flanked by uneven chapels, underwent successive modifications, notably in the seventeenth century with the reconstruction of the choir in 1656 and the addition of a sacristy. The frame bell tower, erected in 1647, and the square campanile overlooking the choir are significant elements of this period.

The west gate, dated from the second half of the 15th century, is decorated with columns with capitals carved with foliage and human heads, reflecting flamboyant Gothic art. A south-east chapel, associated with the lords of Touche Milon and the Rossignolière, bears their coat of arms on a key vault. The church, originally linked to the abbey of Saint-Mélaine de Rennes as early as 1152, was the scene of violent events, such as the sacking by the Leagues in 1597 and a caulianry fight in 1793. These episodes illustrate its central role in local history, between religious worship and political issues.

In the 19th century, modifications were made to symetricize the chapels, including moving old doors and adding an architectural pastiche. Ranked a historic monument in 1968, the church preserves traces of its medieval past, such as the fish ridge aircraft on the south wall, while integrating elements of modern and contemporary eras. Its history thus reflects the religious, social and artistic transformations of Brittany over nearly nine centuries.

The parish of Pacé, mentioned since 1152, was under the dependence of the abbey of Saint-Mélaine de Rennes, which had established there a priory abandoned in the thirteenth century. Successive developments, such as the 16th-century northern chapels or the 17th-century works, reveal the building's constant adaptation to liturgical and community needs. The coat of arms of the Millon, local lords, recall the feudal ties that marked its history.

Today, Sainte-Mélaine Church, owned by the commune of Pacé, remains a major architectural and historical testimony. Its designation to historic monuments in 1968 underscores its heritage value, while its location on the eponymous square makes it a central landmark in the urban landscape. The available sources, combining architectural data and archives, allow to trace a rich history, between medieval heritage and later evolutions.

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