St. Denis Church, Sérifontaine

The church of Saint-Denis is a Catholic parish church located in Sérifontaine, in the department of Oise, France. Its single nave is an economical construction from the Romanesque period, and the only elements of interest are the last Romanesque window at the top of the western portal, which is in the classical style, and the southern side portal, which is in the baroque style. The nave could date back to the 11th century, but the window is not earlier than the second quarter of the 12th century. To the south, the chapel that was originally intended to serve as the base of the bell tower dates from the end of that century or the beginning of the next, and is in the early Gothic style. It is not known whether the bell tower itself ever existed. The chapel no longer communicates with the other parts of the church. The choir is the most remarkable part of the church, and its early 16th-century chevet is decorated with abundant flamboyant Gothic elements. Inside, however, the choir lacks homogeneity, as the first bay is Renaissance and was not completed, and the north and south elevations are different. To the south, two chapels were built at the same time as the chevet, leaving the large southern bay of the third bay of the central nave free. To the north, a three-bay side aisle was added only in the second half or at the end of the 16th century, and is characterized by a longitudinal subdivision by three double arches. There is an ancient coffin. The various irregularities of the central vessel are compensated by the beautiful effect of the high bays of the apse and their flamboyant filling, as well as by the star vaults of a particular design: the liernes and tiercerons are entirely substituted for the ogives, and the hanging keystones are painted. The church of Saint-Denis was classified as a historical monument by decree of May 24, 1928.