Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church Saint-Préjet-des-Vignes is a 12th century Romanesque building, marked by a slender nave with four vaulted bays in a full-cindered cradle. Its bedside, adorned with lumbar bands and carved archatures, as well as its figurative capitals, bear witness to Benedictine influence. It is slightly narrower and is supported by five arches in the middle of a wall supported by columns with carved capitals, some of which represent animals or geometric motifs.

The church is quoted from the 12th century and linked to Benedictine monks of the priory of Rozier. Given to Saint-Victor Abbey in Marseilles in 1155, it was handed over to the bishop of Mende in 1255. Dedicated to Saint Prejet, bishop of Clermont died in 674, she underwent major changes: two chapels (Notre-Dame and Saint-Joseph) were added in 1755, while a porch and two other chapels appeared around 1850, reflecting the local population growth.

A 16th-century fresco, discovered in 1910 in the cul-de-four de l'abside, represented an apotheosis of Saint Prejet, but has since disappeared. The bell tower-wall, placed on the triumphal arch, and the western gate adorned with columns with capitals decorated with saw teeth motifs, complete this architectural ensemble. Classified as a Historical Monument in 2021, the church now belongs to the commune.

Its history reflects the religious and demographic changes of the region, from its medieval origin to modern additions. The lombar bands of the south wall, typical of Romanesque art, and the modifications of the 18th and 19th centuries illustrate this permanent adaptation. The location near the cemetery and its central role in community life make it a key testimony to the heritage of Lozeria.

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