Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of St. Samson of Kérity is located in the municipality of Paimpol, in the department of Côtes-d'Armor. Its history dates back to at least the twelfth century, when a first church dedicated to Saint Samson existed on this site, then dependent on the Abbey of Saint-Riom. Over the centuries, the Chapel of St.Barbe became the only place of parish worship, marking a transition to the local religious organization.

The construction of the present building began in 1859, and was completed and blessed in 1863. The tower, a distinctive element of the church, was later added in 1890, thus completing the neo-Gothic or neo-Roman architecture typical of 19th-century church reconstructions in Brittany. This project was part of a broader process of renovation or replacement of rural churches, often considered too small or outdated for the needs of parishes.

Facing the church, the fountain of the Terron de Paimpol, a former source built during the reconstruction, bears witness to the importance of water points in the organisation of sacred and community spaces. These fountains, often associated with legends or devotional practices, played a central role in the daily and spiritual life of the inhabitants, thus linking built heritage and local traditions.

External links