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Origin and history

The Protestant temple of Villefagnan is part of a long local Reformed tradition, introduced from the 16th century under the influence of Poitiers. A first oratory was attested in 1564, followed by a temple built after 1607, destroyed in 1683. Two other Protestant places of worship, now gone, were built in the 18th century. These successive buildings testify to the persistence of the reformed community despite persecution and political upheaval.

The present temple, fifth of the name, was erected in the second half of the 19th century under the impulse of Pastor Picanon, serving at Villefagnan from 1864 to 1898. Inaugurated on 17 October 1875, it is distinguished by its neo-Gothic architecture, marked by two twin arrows overlooking the façade, while maintaining an interior sobriety typical of Protestant temples. The roof and vault restoration work, carried out in 1983-1984, was designed to repair the damage caused by hail.

Ranked Historic Monument by order of 26 October 1998, the temple is fully protected, including its interior decoration. His property belongs to a cult association. The building, of modest dimensions, illustrates the adaptation of Protestant communities to local architectural norms, mixing Catholic influences and reformed identity. Its location in Villefagnan, Charente, reflects the historical anchor of Protestantism in this region of southwestern France.

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