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Origin and history

Église Saint-Étienne de Chassignolles is a French Catholic church located in the Indre department in the Centre-Val de Loire region. It was built between the 12th and 15th centuries, and now depends on the archdiocese of Bourges. Ranked a historic monument on January 4, 1921, it is distinguished by its architecture combining flamboyant Romanesque and Gothic elements.

Originally, the church was that of the priory of Saint Stephen, dependent on the Abbey of Deols. The buildings of the now disappeared priory were south of the building. The nave, built of Crevant granite and covered with an apparent structure, dates from the middle of the 12th century. It is followed by a span carrying the bell tower, then two spans forming the choir and sanctuary. The seigneurial chapels, added at the end of the 15th century, present flamboyant Gothic-style openings.

The bell tower was restored in 1865, with an increase of its arrow ten meters. Inside, funerary liters (black painted bands) are visible on the coatings. In 2022, a diagnosis revealed the need for work estimated at over EUR 2 million. The church is now owned by the municipality of Chassignolles and depends on the parish of La Châtre.

The building is characterized by its south gate, now walled, which once gave access to the priory. The coat of arms of the marteled seigneurial chapels remain difficult to identify. A recent study of paintings and stained glass has assessed the extent of restoration needed to preserve this historical heritage.

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