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Origin and history

Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul Church is a Catholic church in the small town of Sébeville, in the Manche department, Normandy. The present building dates mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries, with various architectural elements: the 13th century west gate, the 17th century choir, and the bedside, chapels, nave and bell tower of the early 18th century. A sundial dated 1689 and a north door of the nave marked 1701 bear witness to this period of progressive construction. The cemetery gate, on the other hand, bears the date of 1771.

The church was listed as a Historic Monument on October 14, 1970, recognizing its heritage value. However, his condition has deteriorated over the decades, leading to the creation in 2009 of an association, Les Amis de l'Église de Sébeville, dedicated to its preservation. Drainage works, the laying of shingles and the repair of the wall of the southern chapel were undertaken, but the scale of the necessary repairs, especially for the bell tower, led to its closure to the public in 2014. In 2018, the association launched a call for donations via the Heritage 13h site of the group TF1 to finance its restoration.

The furniture and architectural elements of the church reflect its evolution throughout the centuries, with additions and modifications that meet liturgical and community needs. The term Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul and his former attachment to the diocese of Coutances underline his historic anchoring in the region. Despite threats of disrepair, the building remains an important witness to Norman religious and architectural heritage.

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