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Origin and history

The Church of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assumption of Villers-sur-Authie, located in the department of the Somme, finds its origins in a first written mention at the end of the 11th century. However, the current building was mainly built from the thirteenth century, with a bell tower and a western gate still visible today. These elements, typical of late Romanesque architecture, contrast with the chorus rebuilt in the 16th century in a flamboyant Gothic style, marked by ivy vaults and thirdrons decorated with carved and painted keys.

The choir houses exceptional stained glass windows dating from the early 16th century, illustrating biblical scenes such as the Last Judgment, the Portation of the Cross (1511-1515), or the Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple. Other glass windows, added around 1573, represent Sybilles and donors. These glass ensembles, combined with the decorations of the vaults (Nativity, Magi Kings, Virgin Mary), testify to the artistic richness of the Renaissance in this rural region. The church was partially restored in the 19th century, including its brick foothills.

Classified as a historical monument by decree of 19 February 1926, the church embodies a preserved religious heritage, mixing medieval and Renaissance heritage. Its polygonal apse, historiated vault keys and glass windows make it a remarkable example of architectural and iconographic evolution between the Middle Ages and the modern period in Picardia. Official protection emphasizes its historical and artistic importance, while ensuring its conservation for future generations.

The available sources, including the Mérimée and Monumentum bases, confirm its precise address (13 Rue de l'Eglise, 80120 Villers-sur-Authie) and its status as communal property. Although the local archives are fragmented, the building remains a major cultural landmark in the Hauts-de-France, illustrating the central role of parish churches in rural life since the 11th century.

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