Église Notre-Dame de Fresnay-en-Retz

A witness to local history, the church in Fresnay-en-Retz was rebuilt in 1801, after the old church was destroyed by Republican troops.

A church dating back to medieval times

Historical evidence shows that a place of worship already existed in the Middle Ages, on the site of the current building.

Fresnay's first church dates back to the 13th century, when a document attests to the visit in 1210 of the Bishop of Nantes, Gaufridus (whose name is spelt in various ways, including Geoffroy). He stopped off in this parish on his way back from Moutiers.



The church in the 17th century, followed by the Revolution

In 1681, the building was in a very poor state of repair when the rector, Pierre Drouet, had it rebuilt.
He had obtained the sum of 200 livres from King Louis XIV for this purpose.

The lord of La Salle en Fresnay took part in the work.
Francisque Venier was a descendant of the illustrious Venetian family, the Venieri, who gave three doges to the city.
This Venetian gentleman arrived in France at the same time as Albert de Gondi (1522-1602), a Florentine gentleman who married the widow of Baron de Rais in 1565 and was elevated to the title of Duke of Retz in 1581.
Having changed his name to Vénier, the lord of La Salle became Albert de Gondi's confidant.

The castle and church were the Catholic stronghold facing the fortress of Noë-Briord, a few hundred metres away, which belonged to the famous Huguenot (Protestant) leader François de La Nouë, known as Bras de fer (1531-1591).

Through marriage, the La Salle estate passed to the de Bastelard family. It was the Chevalier de Bastelard who had the great altarpiece of the church built, as the inscription testifies:
"The high altar was built by Messire Hanry de Bastelard, knight, lord and chastellain of La Salle and his wife Dame de Launay, lords and founders of this church in 1684".
This mural dedication, written in thanks to Henri de Batelard and his wife Claude, from the de La Salle family, founders of the former church in 1684, will be displayed prominently in the future church. It can still be seen today.

At the time of the Revolution, the parish priest, Pierre Loiseau, had a strong influence over the people of Fresnay. It was feared that there would be popular opposition to the confiscation of ecclesiastical property.
What's more, he refused to take the oath to the Civil Constitution of the Clergy. Against this backdrop, in 1791, the Directory ordered reprisals. The church was closed, leading to a radicalisation of the local population.

During the terrible year of 1793, it was destroyed by Republican troops.


The 19th century church

In 1801, worship was re-established in Fresnay in the building of a wine press and work began on rebuilding the church.

During construction work on the current church in 1801, ancient graves were discovered, probably inside the old church. It is quite curious to see how the tombstones have been replaced. Cut in two, because they were obviously too wide, they serve as steps leading up to the altar. The Latin inscriptions engraved on them can still be read.

The new church was blessed in April 1803 by the parish priest of Machecoul, Abbé Massonnet.

Stone from the Chaume Abbey in Machecoul was used.
As for the wood required, it was taken from Saint-Même and La Richerie in Saint-Hilaire-de-Chaléons.

In 1822, construction began on the bell tower and a new bay.
This work was completed in 1883. It was completed with a spire topped by a cockerel and cross.
The bell, installed in 1884, was named Amélie, Louise, Henriette, Adélaïde and Françoise.

The current building is small and sober. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary on the feast of her Nativity.


Remarkable objects and furniture

The church contains :


a black marble high altar, dated 1717, which comes from the former church of Bourgneuf.
a cruxifix installed in 1875
statues of the Virgin Mary, Saint Magdalene and Saint John, installed at the foot of the cross in 1882.
the statues of Saint Bartholomew and Saint Sebastian.


The current church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
The altarpiece is adorned with black marble Corinthian columns, and the choir with ten mercy seats.



To consult the mass schedule for Sainte-Croix-en-Retz parish, click here.

A little extra :
A guided tour of the church is available during the European Heritage Days in September.


Sources: Emile Boutin (Histoire religieuse du Pays de Retz - abbayes, prieurés, paroisses, published by SILOE in 1999), Le Patrimoine des communes de la Loire Atlantique (published by FLOHIC in 1999).