Church of Saint-Pierre. Auvers, a large village located 8 kilometers from Sablé and the Abbey of Solesmes, is mentioned as early as the 11th century as a priory dependent on the Abbey of La Couture in Mans. The texts seem to establish that its foundation was favored by Guy de Laval and later by his son, Hamon. The original chapel was replaced in the 12th century by a church consecrated by Guillaume Passavent, Bishop of Le Mans, which allows us to date its construction between 1154 and 1187. The priory, after a period of relative prosperity in the 13th century, no longer housed a prior from the 15th century onward. The church served as the parish church, while the priory under its control was transformed and enlarged: part of the 17th-century dwelling still survives in the extension of the south arm of the transept.
From the 12th-century church Only the nave remains, as the transept and choir were rebuilt in 1866. The overall silhouette of the building is strongly marked by the contrast between the modest volume of the old nave and the substantial eastern block. The plan is that of a Latin cross with a single nave and transept. The 19th-century alterations consisted of building this transept on the site of the two former chapels of Saint Anne and Saint Michael, creating two apsidal chapels opening onto the arms of this transept, and rebuilding the choir and apse. As a reminder, the chapel of Saint Anne served as a burial place for the lords of Le Plessis, and that of Saint Michael for the lords of La Panne.
The bell tower of the old building has been preserved to the north, as has the chapel of Saint Peter to the south, which, attached to the priory, was reserved for religious orders. In plan, the base of the bell tower and the chapel of Saint Peter form, with the new transept, a sort of double transept. The western facade is adorned with a portal that dates back to the early 19th century, surmounted by a window that is likely contemporary.
The nave is relatively narrow and elongated, its masonry constructed of small, cubic rubble stones, with roussard sandstone quoins. It is lit to the south by three semicircular bays and two to the north, which were modified in the 19th century. Some of the upper Romanesque openings, which were blocked, are still recognizable on the exterior of the north wall. It is covered with a paneled vault with exposed tie beams. The base of the bell tower has a ribbed vault, with a rather heavy profile.
The interest of this building lies in the large collection of mural paintings dating from the 16th century that cover the walls of the nave. These paintings were partially discovered as early as 1903 and the painter Yperman was then commissioned to make copies for the Museum of Comparative Sculpture. In 1948, they were the subject of a classification order, then, in 1973, a study by the Champs-sur-Marne Laboratory. Several cycles can be recognized, notably: on the south wall, the Nativity and the Flight into Egypt, as well as the life of Saint Martin; on the north wall, the Last Judgment and the Sacrifice of Abraham, as well as Saint James the Greater and the legend of Saint Hubert. They also feature numerous miracle-working saints: Saint Europa, who cured dropsy, Saint Apollonia for toothaches, Saint Avertinus of Tours, for headaches, Saint Generated, the object of a popular cult in the region. Some forty years ago, Saint Opportune, Saint Julian of Brioude, Saint Mammès, the "Tale of the Three Dead and the Three Living," and numerous other scenes were still being identified.
The poor condition of the framework and roofing led to deterioration of the building's walls, particularly those of the nave: the Sauvegarde de l'Art Français (French Art Protection Agency) awarded a grant of 60,000 francs for this work in 1997.
Translated by Google •
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