L'eglise Saint-Genes de Thiers, France

DESCRIPTION
This church is one of the most notable examples of Roman architecture in Auvergne . It has the largest roman style dom in the whole of Auvergne : 101 m2, which is remarkable for a building of the 11th century.

The main nave which is quite wide (31 feet), was probably covered with a roof at first, later it was replaced by the present ribbed vault. It followed the exact shape of the rocky spur on which it was built and formed a large staircase with landings. You can clearly notice this if you observe the lower part of the pillars.

In 1863, when the organ chest was put back, about two feet below the present level, fragments of beautiful merovingian mosaics were discovered, probably the pavement of the church. They were taken off remained in cases for a long time. Unfortunately, only few fragments are left. The church ground was levelled and so the mosaics were buried, probably in the XIIth or XIIIth century .

The side chapels were erected from 1520 onwards as the church was too small for the growing population of the town, owing to the flourishing industry and trade.

Besides the two absidal chapels, the most ancient chapel is in the north side of the transpt. It is remarkable for its fine scluptures and its soaring aspect. On the medaillons of the vault, you can see the four Evangelists and the four cardinal virtues. The keystone represents the arms of the family who had it built. Above the altar, there is a damaged picture of the coronation of the virgin which recalls the coming of the Huguenots in 1568.

The three chapels were built in the early 17th centuty. The canons asked the builders to keep a uniformity of style to preserve the general aspect of the church. The two south chapels were built in stone of Ravel. The third one, called the chapel of the blessed sacrament, was adorned with wood carvings in the 18th century. Its huge baroque altar is the work of a local sculptor, Gilles BUCHOT. On either side are the statues of Saint-Genes with the palm of martyrdom and the statue of Saint-Etienne de Muret, a Baron of Thiers who founded the order of Grandmont.

The church furniture, which was very important under the Old Regime, was scattered during the Revolution. Just a few pieces remain nowadays.


HISTORY

Saint-Genes, to whom this church is dedicated, was a young chistian martyr whose feast is celebrated on October the 28th. According to the tradition, Genes lived with Saint-Syrenat, a patron saint of the parish in the Durolle gorge, and suffrered martyrdom at Thiers.

In 575, this church was built by Saint-Avit, bishop of Clermont, on the spot where the grave of Saint-Genes was miraculously found. Later, it was sacked and was replaced by the present building in 1016, the Baron of Thiers endowed Saint-Genes with a chapter of canons and his successors had the church restored in 1107.

The canons of Thiers were given properties by the Baron and levied taxes on the town and the neighbouring villages.

In the 17th century, the church suffered from the wars of religions. It was taken by the huguenots in 1568 and eventualy saved thanks to merchant of Thiers who paid for the departure of the Protestants. The steeple which was above the transept crossing, seems to have been pulled down at that time.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, the church was enlarged by side-chapels built by private persons or by religious brotherhoods. The canons prescribed the gothic style.

At that time, pillar collapsed and important repairs were undertaken in the church. Lots of masters builder's estimates, dating from the whole of 17th century, can still be found.

The Revolution didn't spoil the building. In the middle of the 19th century the entrance to the church was changed and the west sheltered porch was pulled down. A new organ was erected between 1853 and 1863.

At the end of the century the inside of the church was decorated with paintings, in the taste of the time, which hid the bad state of repair. Unfortunately, through the years the church had been badly damaged and very important repairs had to be undertaken to consolidate the church. That was the opportunity to restore the building inside and to strip the stones of the paint. Then ancient mural paintings, which had been hidden under the coats of paint, were restored. The church was closed for several years and was opened for worship again in November 1981.


Taken from a leaflet obtained in the church circa 1996.