A flowery village, Moussonvilliers takes particular care of the surroundings of its church. By walking along flower beds, you can access it via the covered porch, off-centre with respect to the axis of the gable, the corners of which are reinforced with double buttresses. The church has two naves of unequal width, gathered under the same roof. Built in the 16th century, its poor condition probably required the alterations carried out in the 19th century. From the outside, you can see in particular the use of bricks for the repair of the windows and the cornices of the roof. Inside, between the two parallel naves, the four stone pillars cut into a prism, dating from the construction, carry a wide horizontal band along the entire length of the building (probably made of large beams covered in plaster, replacing the old stone arcades). This band reinforces the beams on which the "tie beams" of the exposed framework rest, and at the same time supports the fall of the two plaster vaults. These structural modifications nevertheless respect the general appearance of the building. At the central altar, the tabernacle evokes the parable of the Good Shepherd who carries the lost sheep on his shoulders. Above, the classical style altarpiece in wood with decorations enhanced with gold, is decorated in the center with a large painting of the Assumption of Mary taken up to heaven by angels. The landscape placed very low accentuates the upward movement of the composition. This painting, of a certain artistic quality, dated 1855, is signed by Claire Hombcrg. Two statues frame it in the niches: on the left, a pretty Virgin in polychrome stone from the 16th century. Crowned with fleurs-de-lys and draped in a blue cloak, she holds the infant Jesus, who stretches out his arm towards the object she is presenting to him (an apple or a bird? We do not know because the right hand is broken). On the other side, in polychrome wood from the 18th century, Saint Catherine of Alexandria reading a book, was once invoked as the patron saint of schools because of her in-depth education. She had in fact publicly and successfully refuted the erroneous theses of several philosophers whom she converted to the Christian faith. She suffered martyrdom in the 4th century. Other statues deserve particular interest. Leaning against a pillar, the 16th century, in stone, of Saint John the Baptist, his cloak raised over his bare legs, presenting the Mystic Lamb placed on the large book of the Bible. And also, from the same period, the small polychrome stone sculpture depicting the education of the Virgin Mary by Saint Anne. It is difficult to see the details because it is placed in a niche above the door. But it is a precious ancient testimony of the devotion to the patron saint of our parish Sainte-Anne-du-Perche. Finally, to the left of the door, the polychrome wooden statue of Saint Paul. The expression on his face reflects somewhat the ardor of his vocation as an apostle of Christianity. Converted by his vision of the road to Damascus, he devoted himself entirely to preaching the doctrine of Christ the Redeemer, traveling through the countries of the Hellenized East to found and lead new communities of baptized people. Thanks to him, the evangelical message was not limited to populations of Jewish culture, but was addressed to people throughout the world. His writings are an ever-current and living source of the doctrine of the Church, the body of Christ.
Translated by Google •
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