The best traffic-free bike rides around Saint-Ange-Et-Torçay

The Saint-Barthélemy church of Mesnil-Thomas is a religious monument located in the commune of Mesnil-Thomas. This place of worship, like many rural churches, plays a central role in local spiritual and community life. Its architecture and history reflect the religious traditions of the Centre-Val de Loire region, although available sources do not specify its construction period or stylistic characteristics. In the countryside of Centre-Val de Loire, parish churches like Saint-Barthélemy served as gathering points for the inhabitants, marking the highlights of collective life: Sunday masses, religious festivals, and social events. These buildings were often at the heart of village organization, symbolizing both faith and community cohesion. In the absence of detailed historical data, it is difficult to trace the specificities of this church, but its very existence testifies to the importance of religious heritage in this region.

be careful because there are forest animals

The first mention of the existence of the Church of Saint-Martin de Nonancourt is a 12th-century charter, but the original building probably dates back to the 7th or 8th century. The bell tower that now occupies the middle of the façade dates from the reconstructions of 1204. During the Hundred Years' War, the church was largely destroyed, like many buildings in the region. The side aisles, nave, and choir were rebuilt in the 16th century. The Chapel of the Virgin, also known as the Chapel of the Rosary, was also added. The Church of Saint-Martin contains numerous works of art, some of which are listed: neo-Gothic and Renaissance furnishings, including the centerpiece, the pulpit, a veritable wooden lacework; a variety of statuary, a 16th-century organ case and finally an enigmatic fresco discovered during recent works in 2001. The stained-glass windows of the church constitute a truly remarkable collection, both in terms of their number (26 in total) and their quality. The lower windows of the nave are the oldest pieces, dating from the 1500s, while the upper windows date from the 1520s and 1530s.

The current church was almost entirely rebuilt in 1542 on Gothic foundations. The Gothic church was reportedly destroyed in 1424 by the English. According to legend, Saint Lubin, Bishop of Chartres, came to rest in this place, which housed a recluse inhabited by a monk. A chapel was built there towards the end of the 6th century.

Every year, during the Heritage Days, the association "Au Cœur de Nos Villages" opens the doors of the Saint-Pierre church. A building from the 12th and 15th centuries, listed as a historical monument, whose bell tower, clock, and five renovated altarpieces, including Saint Michael slaying the dragon, are to be discovered. For the benefit of the Restos du Cœur Walkers will also be able to get to know the Atelier Arc-en-ciel (plastic arts) which exhibits the works of the adult group. Paintings, in red chalk, white pencil, sepia, etc., representing views of the church, statues, etc., will be put on sale for the benefit of the association Au Cœur de Nos Villages.

The parish church of Escorpain, dedicated to Saint Germain, is a very simple building, rectangular in plan and of modest dimensions. With a single nave, it ends with a flat chevet; a sacristy is attached to the north side of the choir; the gable wall of the façade is topped with a slate spire. The church is mentioned as early as the 12th century. The small rubble stonework, which also bears the traces of numerous alterations, and the small openings, three in number in the north wall and only one in the south wall, constitute the oldest remains of this building which was extensively restored in the 19th century. It was in fact from 1886, thanks to the generosity of the Firmin-Didot family that the building was raised, as evidenced by the gable wall of the façade. The nave was then covered with a panelled vault, replacing the previous framework: the 1886 inscription mentions previous work campaigns, in the 17th century in particular. The entire interior was redesigned, not without unity, in a neo-Gothic style. As for the two large bays in the south wall, probably pierced in the 16th century, they were greatly altered during this campaign. For the repair of the exterior masonry, the rendering of the façade, the roofs of the nave and a slope of the sacristy, the Sauvegarde de l’Art Français granted this unprotected church a subsidy of 80,000 F in 1994.

The church of Vitray is mentioned from the year 1116 “ecclesias de Vitriaco”.

Construction period: 12th - 15th century, church remained unfinished. Classified by decree of December 19, 1907.