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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Martin de Breuil-le-Vert, located in the Oise department in the Hauts-de-France region, is a building dating back to the late 11th century. Founded under the impetus of the Counts of Clermont, it was initially given to the abbey of Saint-Germer-de-Fly in 1099 or 1100, after a complaint by the bishop of Beauvais concerning the negligence of the local parish priest. This monument, first of all of a Roman basilical plan, was profoundly transformed over the centuries, notably with the addition of a Gothic choir in the 13th century and major changes in the 16th century.

The present nave, enlarged at the beginning of the 16th century thanks to the funding of Pierre II d'Argillière and the parish priest Michel de Rimaugis, incorporates Romanesque remains like the large butchered arcades visible to the south. The choir, built in the 13th century, has a homogeneous Gothic style with arches of warheads and a flat bedside. The southern side chapel, dedicated to Saint Joseph, dates from the end of the 12th century and was partially restored to the 14th century. The church was classified as a historic monument in 1921, after having undergone controversial restorations in the 19th century, including the brick vaulting and plaster of the nave.

The history of the church was also marked by the suppression of the adjacent priory in 1760, the French Revolution, and restoration campaigns in the 19th century, some of which, such as the replacement of Romanesque vaults by neo-Gothic structures, altered its authenticity. Despite these transformations, the building retains remarkable elements, such as the Romanesque capitals with archaic geometric motifs, the 13th century bell tower, and classified furniture, including a 16th century Saint Martin Charity.

The bell tower, typical of the Gothic architecture of Beauvais, is distinguished by its geminied bays and its spire in a building, while the interior reveals a choir hall with thin supports, characteristic of the radiant period. The 13th century stained glass windows, partially dispersed in the United States in the 19th century, were reproduced for the church. Today, the association for the Safeguarding of the Church of St.Martin of Breuil-le-Vert (SMBLV) works to preserve it, organizing events to finance its restoration.

The Church of Saint Martin thus illustrates the architectural and historical evolutions of the region, from its early Romanesque to its Gothic and modern transformations, while remaining an active place of worship and a precious local heritage.

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