From its construction in the 12th century, when Jonzac depended on the parish of Saint-Germain-de-Lusignan, the church only retains its Romanesque bell tower and its apse. For the rest, it is the result of considerable alterations which took place first after the Hundred Years War in the 15th century, where the church was very mutilated, and especially at the end of the 19th century, in a neo-Gothic style. , where it took its current configuration. It is dedicated to Saint Germain.
Saint Germain, bishop of Paris (496-576), was probably born in that part of Gaul which is for us now Burgundy, near Autun. It is reported that he studied extensively in Gaul, then in Rome. There, the Emperor Honorius would have conferred on him high offices for his region of origin. He would have lived there for fifteen years with a priest uncle, before being ordained himself and becoming abbot of the Saint Symphorien monastery in Autun. It was from there that he was called to be bishop of Paris.
His zeal to call his people to conversion and holiness was illustrated, in particular, by the conversion of King Childebert, son of Clovis and Clotilde. The latter, following the example of Germain, called the "Father of the poor", put order at court, had the church and monastery of Saint Germain des Prés built and distributed abundant alms. He died at the age of 80, in 576.
It should be noted that there is another Saint Germain, born around 378 in Auxerre, of which he was the bishop, and died in 448 in Ravenna, thus well before the birth of Germain of Paris. It is to him that the church near the Louvre is dedicated: Saint Germain l'Auxerrois... It is also he who is said to have laid hands on the young Geneviève (v. 422 - v. 502).
Four communes in Charente-Maritime bear the name of Saint Germain, and the churches of Beaugeay and Varaize are also under his patronage. His feast day is May 28.
its construction in the 12th century, at the time when Jonzac depended on the parish of Saint-Germain-de-Lusignan, the church retains only its Romanesque bell tower and its apse. For the rest, it is the result of considerable alterations which took place first after the Hundred Years War in the 15th century, where the church was very mutilated, and especially at the end of the 19th century, in a neo-Gothic style. , where it took its current configuration. It is dedicated to Saint Germain.
Saint Germain, bishop of Paris (496-576), was probably born in that part of Gaul which is for us now Burgundy, near Autun. It is reported that he studied extensively in Gaul, then in Rome. There, the Emperor Honorius would have conferred on him high offices for his region of origin. He would have lived there for fifteen years with a priest uncle, before being ordained himself and becoming abbot of the Saint Symphorien monastery in Autun. It was from there that he was called to be bishop of Paris.
His zeal to call his people to conversion and holiness was illustrated, in particular, by the conversion of King Childebert, son of Clovis and Clotilde. The latter, following the example of Germain, called the "Father of the poor", put order at court, had the church and monastery of Saint Germain des Prés built and distributed abundant alms. He died at the age of 80, in 576.
It should be noted that there is another Saint Germain, born around 378 in Auxerre, of which he was the bishop, and died in 448 in Ravenna, thus well before the birth of Germain of Paris. It is to him that the church near the Louvre is dedicated: Saint Germain l'Auxerrois... It is also he who is said to have laid hands on the young Geneviève (v. 422 - v. 502).
Four communes in Charente-Maritime bear the name of Saint Germain, and the churches of Beaugeay and Varaize are also under his patronage. His feast day is May 28.