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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Notre-Dame de Charly, located in the Cher department, finds its origins in the 12th century, built on the foundations of an older building. Originally priorial and dedicated to Saint Symphorian under the dependence of the Benedictine abbey of Limoges, it became a parish church dedicated to Notre-Dame in 1854. Sold as a national property in 1793, it fell into ruins after the demolition of the adjacent priory, before being returned to Catholic worship in 1800.

Between 1854 and 1862, Father Pierre-Marie Lenoir, parish priest of Charly and restorer of Fontgombault Abbey, undertook a partial reconstruction of the church. The medieval elements (choir and tower of the 12th century, chapels of the 15th century) are preserved but modified, while the unique nave is replaced by a nave with three vessels. The diocesan architect Émile Tarlier oversees this work, financed in part by a legacy of Mr. Chenu, resident of Charly.

The frescoes of the bell tower and the choir, rediscovered during the restorations, are painted entirely in a style inspired by the 19th century by Henri L staircase, bourgeois painter. Two scenes copied from the frescoes of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe are added. The bell tower's arrow, already restored in 1880, was rebuilt in 1932. The stained glass windows, created by the Lubin de Tours workshops in 1863, complete this set classified as a Historic Monument in 1862.

The church thus illustrates the architectural and artistic transformations associated with the 19th century restoration campaigns, mixing medieval heritage and modern interventions. Its history also reflects revolutionary upheavals (sale as national good) and the religious revitalization of the Second Empire.

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