Hilaire de Poitiers (in Latin Hilarius Pictaviensis) is the first bishop of Poitiers actually attested, born around 315 and died in 367. He is also one of the first Latin Christian writers. A fourth-century theologian, he was a great defender of Nicene orthodoxy against Arianism and Sabellianism. He was designated by the title of "Athanasius of the West" because of his energetic and pastoral action in the promotion of Christian orthodoxy.
It is a pretty little church that bears his name, and which is in the heart of the village. It presents a most interesting example of a primitive novel.
The facade is a tripartite composition with two superimposed registers, without any sculpture, except for the two herringbone cords which frame the second register.
At ground level, the 2 blind side bays are narrow and higher than the gate. The upper arcade has five arches resting on columns with bare capitals. The central arch is pierced by a small bay.
The simple nave leads to the square under the bell tower. Barrel vaulted, it has a most archaic Romanesque base. The side walls are composed of two levels of arcades of equal height. The lower register is made of two arches on columns, the upper register of three, of which the middle one is pierced by a bay. Some colonens have disappeared.
The bell tower is supported on its north face by a staircase. Each side of the staircase is pierced with twin trilobed bays. The whole is topped with a slate spire.
The flat chevet is surmounted by a very steep gable rebuilt in the 19th century. It includes an ogival bay, walled from the inside, underlined by a sculpted cordon.
Its perimeter is highlighted by a cornice decorated with a frieze with geometric patterns reminiscent of the arches of Guitinières, a neighboring town. As for the modillions that accompany it, some are not lacking in originality, others are very refined.
The choir, rebuilt in the Gothic period, occupies two bays with ogival vaults with formers and keys. The ribs fall on groups of small columns with capitals adorned with large ivy leaves.
We will notice on the perimeter of the church some old stones engraved with escutcheons and a boat.
Translated by Google •
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