ÉGLISE NOTRE DAME

ORIGIN This church dedicated to Our Lady of the Nativity is actually the second church in the city, the first being the Chapelle de la Oultre, beyond the Madonna. The first stone was laid on February 18, 1303. Originally, the street was at the present level of the church, which in the 18th century was "buried" by the successive raising of the street. Eight steps were then built to go down the street. Similarly, to reach the street below, it has no less than 40 steps. EXTERNAL VIEW: The Tower is practically the only one visible, supporting the octagonal spire that replaced a four-sided spire in 1755; the neighbouring houses tightly enclose it. This tower underwent a restoration from 1992 to 1997, practically all the stones were replaced and only one clock on the street side was kept in its original location, the other 3 were removed. Also to be seen are the entrances to the porch with its beautiful pointed ashlars. INSIDE: * At the entrance, four massive round 14th century pillars form the first bays. The following ones date from the 15th and 16th centuries. * Under the Gothic vault of the choir, a monumental altarpiece (1623) bears a painting by Claude Deruet, "l'Assomption de la Vierge" (M.H. 1903). Until 1982, three other canvases followed one another following the liturgical cycle: * "The Adoration of the Magi by Claude Bassot, Nancy 1633 (M.H. 1961). * "The Resurrection" by Etienne Gelée, Epinal 1634 (M.H. 1961). * "The Virgin and Child and the Saints" by Dominique Prot, Nancy 1658 (M.H. 1961). These last three paintings are definitively fixed above the arches of the choir. For those visitors who wish, a timer allows the illumination of these paintings, it is located at the back of the church next to the press table. In front of this altarpiece, the marble altar (1826) hides the stone of the primitive altar consecrated on 15 June 1612 by Monseigneur de Maillanne, Bishop and Count of Toul. After the restoration work undertaken in 1961-62, a general presentation of the choir, in accordance with the current liturgical orientations, was put in place. An altar facing the people and its platform somewhat hides a mosaic (1914) with the coat of arms of Saint-Pierre Fourier, child of Mirecourt. * The pulpit is from 1748. Its plaster panels are from 1832. * The pews of the nave are from the 18th century (1732). They have the peculiarity of bearing engraved the well-known names of families of the past. RIGHT SIDE (facing the choir) *Chapel of the Virgin (1602). The stone of the altar was consecrated on June 15, 1612. Leaning against the wall "La Vierge à l'Oiseau" stone statue (14th century) offered in 1960 by Madame Fourier Magnié. A pretty three-lobed gothic swimming pool has been converted into a tabernacle. Towards the choir, "L'Education de la Vierge", Ste Anne, polychrome wood (1633). In the enfeu: "Christ of Resurrection" and "Worshipping Angels" stone statues - 18th century (M.H. 1982). "Faith" and "Hope" stone statues - 19th century (M.H. 1982). RIGHT BOTTOM SIDE * "Notre-Dame de Pitié", polychrome stone, erected by Husson Thouvenel de Rcmoncourt in 1517 (M.H. 1982). LEFT SIDE (facing the choir) Chapel originally dedicated to St Nicolas, second titular of the church after Notre-Dame in its nativity. * Altar; Stone table consecrated on June 15, 1612. * In the restored niche, Statue of Saint-Pierre Fourier, born in Mirecourt on 30 November 1565. * On the side wall, painting attributed to Jean Le Clerc, 17th century, "La Prédication de St-François-Xavicr" (M.H. 1961). *The Baptismal Font (marble, stone, woodwork and ironwork gallows, 1609 (M.H. 1912)).