St. Germain Church

The Saint-Germain de Mont-l'Évêque church is a Catholic parish church located in Mont-l'Évêque, Oise, France.

It is the successor of a church attested before the middle of the 11th century, of which no remains remain. The construction of the present church is probably due to Guérin, bishop of Senlis, when he established the rural residence of the bishops of Senlis at Mont-l'Évêque during the 1220's. However, the parts dating back to this period are few and are limited to the nave and the old northern cross. The Hundred Years' War damaged the church, and during the first half of the 16th century, it was largely rebuilt in the flamboyant Gothic style. From this period, the choir with its side aisles, which seduces by its slenderness, its elegance and the varied design of its vaults with liernes and tiercerons. Interesting sculpted details can also be seen on the exterior. The first bay of the choir is however lower and more sober, as it is the former transept that was reworked. On the other hand, the aisle of the nave, of which the two capitals of the large arcades are the only elements of interest, as well as the western façade, also date from the first half of the 16th century. The squat but architecturally neat bell tower was built in 1634 to the south of the last bay of the nave. The neo-Gothic decoration of the church in the 19th century profoundly altered its character, especially that of the nave and aisle, which were provided with false vaults.

The church of Saint-Germain was registered as a historical monument by decree of September 27, 1963. Today it is part of the community of Chamant / Barbery / Mont-l'Évêque of the parish of Saint-Rieul de Senlis. Sunday masses are celebrated there from May to September, except the first Sunday of the month.