Dedicated to Saint-Bénigne, apostle of Burgundy, this very old Latin cross-shaped church has a typical 13th-century bell tower-porch. The pink flagstones in the south arm of the transept indicate that this part of the building was probably rebuilt after the Wars of Religion.
The church has a polygonal chancel, a single nave with four round-headed bays, a rib-vaulted transept, a bell tower on the west façade, a spiral staircase to the north and a secondary chapel to the south.
The building dates from several periods:
Between 1733 and 1736, major restoration work was undertaken, financed by a grant from the Generalitat of Châlons.
The building, eaten away by damp, was in danger of collapsing. The pillars were consolidated. Part of the framework and roof were replaced. New, larger stained glass windows were installed.
The only bell was recast in 1771.
In 1805, Just DUCHÊNE was entrusted with the construction of a presbytery at the corner of the south arm of the transept and the choir, as well as repairs to the roof, which was to be completely refurbished.
In 1829, a copper cockerel was placed on the bell tower.
In 1839, the commune finally had the means to have two more bells cast by the PAINTENDRE brothers from Breuvannes-en-Bassigny.
In 1862, the choir and sacristy were found to be in a poor state of repair, and the architect DELAVEUVE drew up plans to restore them.
In 1868, the bell tower was restored, the portal was rebuilt and the baptismal font was moved to the right of the entrance, into a new dedicated chapel.
The PAINTENDRE brothers were again commissioned to cast three new bells. They were baptised and given the names of GRANGÉ-PERREY, DES ÉTANGS-DALBANNE and DES ÉTANGS-HERBIN.
In 1885, Augustin CHÂALES DES ÉTANGS (1819-1902), former president of the civil court of Châtillon-sur-Seine (21), financed the raising of the bell tower and, the following year, the reconstruction of the choir and sacristy. The plans were drawn up by the architect DESCAVES.
In 1890, Bishop Alphonse Martin LARUE of Langres, whose coat of arms was painted on a wall of the choir 52221 - Gillancourt - Église Saint-Bénigne - Choeur - Armoiries évêque Alphonse Martin LARUE - 2022.JPG, consecrated the white marble altar 52221 - Gillancourt - Église Saint-Bénigne - Choeur - Maître autel - 2022 02.JPG donated by the parents of Augustin CHÂALES DES ÉTANGS in 1863.
Eglise Saint-Bénigne de Gillancourt
