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Church of St. Cecile of Aves dans le Tarn

Tarn

Church of St. Cecile of Aves

    277 Route de Montauban
    81600 Gaillac

Timeline

Haut Moyen Âge
Moyen Âge central
Bas Moyen Âge
Renaissance
Temps modernes
Révolution/Empire
XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
900
1000
1300
1400
1800
1900
2000
vers 920
First written entry
1325
Assignment to Saint-Michel Abbey
1894
Destruction of the old church
1er décembre 1902
Consecration of the new church
3 novembre 1972
Temporary closure
31 décembre 1987
Reopening to the public
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Key figures

Bénébert - Archdeacon First donor mentioned in 920.
Iterus de Violio - Vicar of Albi Assigns church to abbey in 1325.
Auguste Baljalade - Owner of the castle Offer the land for reconstruction.
Léon Cornus - Curé Last posted until 1945.
François de Solages - Curé Dessert the parish after 1946.

Origin and history

The church of Sainte-Cécile d'Avès, located in Gaillac in the Tarn, has its origins in the 10th century. It is mentioned for the first time around 920 in the will of Archdeacon Bénébert, who donated it to the chapter of the Cathedral of St. Cécile of Albi. The name Avès would come from fields of Avanus, a Gallo-Roman owner, and traces of habitat of that time were found on the site.

The original building, originally dependent on Montans, underwent many changes over the centuries. In 1325, it was assigned to the abbey of Saint-Michel de Gaillac by the vicar of Albi, Iterus de Violio. In 1894, the old church, considered in poor condition, was destroyed to expand the nearby cemetery. A new church, financed by Auguste Baljalade (owner of the nearby castle), was built and consecrated on 1 December 1902.

The present church, in the shape of a Latin cross with side chapels, is built in brick and has a sober style. Not widely used after 1945, it was closed in 1972 and reopened in 1987. Its architecture contrasts with the original building, described as a simple chapel with arch bell tower, with a bell of 1810 signed Larroque.

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