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Origin and history

The church of Saints-Côme-et-Damien de Vézelise, located in the department of Meurthe-et-Moselle, is a Catholic religious building whose construction lasted several decades in the 15th century. It replaces a 14th century church destroyed during the conflicts between Antoine de Vaudémont and René d'Anjou, notably after the Battle of Bulgnéville in 1431. Vézelise, then capital of Vaudémont County, was a strategic issue during these wars, which delayed the reconstruction of the building.

The reconstruction of the church officially began in 1450 under the impulse of Ferry II of Vaudémont, son of Antoine, who ordered the villages of the county to supply materials and labour. The first stone was laid in 1458, but the work was quickly interrupted due to the wars and impoverishment of the region. Ferry II, appointed lieutenant-general of the kingdom of Sicily by René d'Anjou, is often absent, which further slows down the construction site. The foundations, once completed, remain abandoned for several years.

The work resumed around 1473 thanks to the intervention of René II of Lorraine, who granted privileges to the inhabitants of Vézelise to facilitate the completion of the church. After the Battle of Nancy in 1477, which restored peace, the site progressed significantly. The building was finally consecrated on 6 May 1521 by Cardinal Jean de Lorraine, brother of Duke Antoine, although some sources mentioned a first Mass celebrated in 1517. Interior decoration and furnishings continued until 1541, including the addition of a altarpiece offered by the Duke.

The church was classified as historical monuments in 1907, recognizing its architectural and historical importance. Its bell tower, burned twice (in 1726 and 1867), was restored, and the sommital cross was replaced in 1810 after a solemn blessing. The building bears witness to the power struggles in Lorraine and the resilience of local communities to conflict.

Historical sources, such as the manuscripts of Charles Féron (1750) and Nicolas Fremy (1716), as well as later archaeological studies, underline the importance of this church in regional history. Its architecture, marked by a non-slanting transept, a twisted arrow and a polygonal croup, reflects late Gothic and renaissant influences. The stained glass and organ, studied by experts such as Michel Herold, adds to its heritage value.

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