Eglise Saint-Mathurin

Saint-Mathurin Church Listed as a Historic Monument Due to the flooding of the Loire River, Saint-Mathurin was created late. In 1399, a chapel was founded there, depending on the parish of Saint-Rémy-la-Varenne, located on the south bank. The chapel was rebuilt in 1548 and later rebuilt. It was located on the present church square and encroached on the levee. This chapel was demolished in 1856. In the 19th century, the whole valley experienced prosperity based on agriculture and the river navy. The population of Saint-Mathurin reached 2800 inhabitants in the middle of the century. A new, larger church was therefore needed. The building should be able to hold 2000 people. The project drawn up by the Angevin architect Jacques-Louis François-Villers was chosen. It is a vast neo-classical building (inspired by the architecture of Greco-Roman antiquity), whose facade, facing the river, is preceded by a regular square. Work began in August 1840 and continued with difficulty until 1846. The problem of the construction site consisted in solidly establishing a building on a very steeply sloping ground partly filled in by embankments. Almost immediately, the church had to be consolidated. Major restoration work was carried out in 1992. The church of Saint-Mathurin is one of the main religious achievements of François-Villers, and one of the most imposing of the neo-classical churches built on the levee in the 19th century (the others are Saint-Clément-des-Levées, La Ménitré and La Bohalle). The bell tower is covered by a dome, itself surmounted by a lantern in the shape of a small temple. The whole is built in beautiful tuffeau cut stone. The interior gives an impression of monumentality and majesty. The nave is 27.60 m long. The choir is pierced by an oculus providing zenithal lighting: it is thus plunged into a semi-darkness contrasting with the brightness of the nave, and contributing to the theatricality of the liturgy. The furniture, of high quality, is contemporary to the church. The woodwork, like all the church furniture, was made in 1846 by the Royal School of Arts and Crafts of Angers. The church is rich in several interesting works of art. See the interpretation panels in the church In the choir: - The Four Evangelists, by Alphonse Monchablon (1835-1907), winner of the Grand Prix de Rome in 1863. Each Evangelist is represented with his symbol: the lion for St. Mark, the bull for St. Luke, the angel for St. Matthew and the eagle for St. John. - The Holy Family, a 19th century copy after Murillo - The 16th century wooden Christ on the cross comes from the old church. In the chapel to the right of the entrance : Paintings: - The Adoration of the shepherds, by Alphonse Lavaudan (1796-1857), painting offered in 1850 by Mr and Mrs Diard. - Adoration of the Magi, a 19th century painting Statues: This chapel highlights some old statues, coming either from the old church or from the Marsaulaye chapel. One can see in particular a 17th century saint Sebastian in tuffeau and a 16th century saint Roch in polychrome tuffeau. This one comes from the Marsaulaye chapel. The saint is dressed as a pilgrim of Santiago de Compostela. He shows on his leg a plague bubble that an angel is caring for. Saint Roch and Saint Sebastian were once invoked against the plague. The Gate of Peace, designed by the Catalan artist Josep Grau-Garriga (1929-2011), was installed in 2012. The artist wanted his adopted municipality to benefit from one of his creations. He chose the church, for which he has been designing the Peace Gate since 2009. This monumental work brings together mixed techniques (stained glass, painting) and integrates the war memorial of the parish in a vast symbolic composition. (See the interpretation panels in the church).