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Origin and history

The church of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine de Maignelay, located in the Oise department in the Hauts-de-France region, was built between 1498 and 1516 under the leadership of Louis d'Halluin, lord of the city and master of ceremonies of the King of France during the Italian wars. The building, in flamboyant Gothic style, was consecrated in 1516 and is distinguished by its monumental three arcade porch, erected in honor of its sponsor. This porch, along with the carved vaults of the choir and the lateral chapels, testify to the artistic influence of the nascent Renaissance in Picardia.

The church furniture, particularly rich, has sixteen elements classified as historical monuments, including a set of 70 17th century benches, a 16th century statue of the gardener Christ, and 13th century baptismal fonts. The golden wooden altarpiece, dating from the late 15th or early 16th century, however, suffered degradation in 1973. The bell tower, rebuilt in 1861, completes a building whose protection for historic monuments dates back to 1862, highlighting its heritage importance.

The church is part of a historical context marked by the patronage of Louis d'Halluin, whose role in the court of France and in Picardie left a lasting impression. The studies of Canon Marsaux (1907) and Patrick Ansar (1981, 2013) highlighted its architecture, mixing medieval traditions and innovations of the First Renaissance. Affiliated to the parish of Saint-Martin du Plateau Picard, it remains an active place of worship while attracting lovers of sacred art.

The location of the church, in the city centre of Maignelay-Montigny, and its official address (2 Ter Rue de l'Église) make it a central point of the commune. Its communal property and its ancient ranking also make it a symbol of local history, linked to the social and religious dynamics of Picardia at the hinge of the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

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