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Key figures

Origin and history

The Church of St. Martin of Sevran finds its origins around the year 700, where it is already mentioned as a " basilica" in the will of Lady Ermentrude. Archaeological excavations conducted in 1980-1981 revealed a Merovingian funerary sanctuary dating from the 6th or 7th century, including plaster sarcophagi. At that time, the church was surrounded by a cemetery, moved before 1870 to its current location, General Leclerc Avenue. This site illustrates the religious and funeral importance of Sevran from the early Middle Ages.

In 1060, Arrode de Montmorency gave to the religious of Saint-Martin-des-Champs the land of Montcelleux, exploited until the Revolution. In 1090 Adebran, seigneur of Sevran, also abandoned half of the parish and the church, with the agreement of Geoffroy de Boulogne, bishop of Paris. The first known priest, Léger, was quoted in a will in 1235. These acts testify to the close links between the local seigneury, the Church and religious orders, structuring medieval community life.

The present building, built in the 16th century and consecrated in 1551, preserves historical elements like tombstones, including that of Charles Maheut, notary of the king and lord of Sevran in 1569. Some slabs were desecrated during the Revolution. The epitaph of Alexander of Arboulin (1781), benefactor of the parish, and the marble baptismal fonts he offered, recall his role in the beautification of the building. In 1551, the consecration by Charles Boucher, Bishop of Mégare, marked a key step in his architectural history.

The church suffered transformations and damage, such as the destruction of its first span by fire in 1981. The excavations of 1984 revealed three sarcophagi and a silver ocular of Gauthier I Saveyr, bishop of Meaux (1045-1082), reinforcing his archaeological interest. In 1986, a parish hall was joined by architect Mathieu. Today, the building combines historical heritage and contemporary art, with a cross road by Helen Mai.

The initial construction, in stone and plaster, was rebuilt in 1550 due to damage caused by the Morea River. The bell tower, surmounted by an arrow, and a plane tree planted around 1790 (freedom tree) recall the evolutions of the site. In 1935, bas-sides and foothills were added, illustrating the continuous adaptations of the building to liturgical and structural needs.

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