Near the old castle of the barons of Longny, whose ditches occupied part of the large square, the church was built at the end of the 15th century. A large tiled roof covers the nave, whose wooden vault was redone in the 19th century. in bricks and plaster, and the vaulted stone aisle with ribbed arches.
As in Armentières (see 1st page of this booklet), this church is under the patronage of Saint Martin, Bishop of Tours. From the top of the niche at the top of the large painted stone altarpiece from the 17th century, its older statue wearing the cope, the miter and the crosier addresses us its blessing. More accessible, on the right wall near the entrance, a pretty Virgin and Child, crowned and holding a scepter, with a mantle lined with ermine, discreetly reigns over this place.
The construction of the organ gallery in the 19th century. resulted in the removal of a large flamboyant style window above the porch. Lovers of religious music won't complain. Fortunately, the high bell tower has retained most of its exterior decor, remarkable for a set of statues from the first half of the 16th century, symbols of the virtues of Prudence, Temperance, Faith, Hope. Framed in the upper pediment, we see that of Saint Martin as a horseman, sharing his cloak with a poor man.
With the time of the Revolution, which transformed the church into a “Temple of the Supreme Being”, then into a saltpeter workshop, its restoration was an opportunity to buy back, at the expense of the parish factory and the brotherhood. of charity, the two secondary altars from the 18th century. placed on both sides of the choir.
They came from the old charterhouse of ValDieu, as well as the two paintings, Saint Bruno and the Adoration of the Shepherds, from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Also note, in the choir of the church, the statues of the four evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
To those who have not paid attention to it, let us leave it to them to discover the painting of Saint Anne with the Virgin. His presence today recalls the important role of Longny in the large parish of Sainte-Anne-du-Perche.
The church is open every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Translated by Google •
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