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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Philippe and Saint-Jacques de Châtillon, located in the Hauts-de-Seine, replaces an old chapel dedicated to Saint Eutrope. Its construction ran from the 13th to the 16th century, with a solemn dedication on 17 July 1541 by Charles Boucher, bishop in partibus de Mégare, representing Eustache du Bellay, bishop of Paris. The first religious building in Châtillon, it embodies the medieval anchoring of the village.

Over the centuries, the church underwent major transformations: restoration of the right side in 1610, repeated repairs (1731, 1740, 1819-1832), and partial reconstruction after the destruction of the 1870-1871 war (fall of the bell tower, demolition of the bedside). Between 1843 and 1846, architect Claude Naissant directed an ambitious expansion: adding a span to the nave, building a Renaissance bell tower, and building a new presbytery in 1866. The vaults were restored at the end of the 19th century.

The current bell tower, rebuilt after 1870, houses a bell called "Madeleine" (1832), which was taken from the old bell tower destroyed. Two bells offered by Colbert in 1681, blessed and then melted during the Revolution, bear witness to his turbulent history. The trapezoidal porch, perpendicular to the nave, and reinforced foothills characterize its architecture. The organ, installed in 1902, and the restorations of the bell tower in 1904 completed its evolution.

Classified as a Historical Monument since 19 October 1928, the church remains an active place of worship, open on weekdays. Its three-vessel plan, its arched apse and slate roof illustrate a flamboyant Gothic heritage and Renaissance additions. Successive priests, such as Jacques Bardelin (1534) or Antoine Vairon (2008-2017), marked his religious history.

The historical sources, including the works of Jean Lebeuf (18th century) and the archives of Val-de-Gif Abbey, document his central role in community life. Architectural changes reflect liturgical needs and historical hazards, from medieval tithes to modern restorations.

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