Église Saint-Honoré, Verneuil-en-Halatte

Saint-Honoré Church is a Catholic parish church located in Verneuil-en-Halatte, in the Oise department, in the Hauts-de-France region, in France. Its origins should date back to the late eleventh century. Shortly after, in 1104, the church was given to the abbey of Molesme, which founded a Benedictine priory-cure there. This priory was named after Saint Geneviève, while the parish was placed under the patronage of Saint Honoré, patron saint of bakers. An octagonal bell tower was built above the first bay of the choir. Only its stump remains, hidden under the roof. Around 1170, crosses or chapels were added to the north and south, in the primitive gothic style. What remains today, an arcade with capitals and a wall with a window, represent the oldest parts of the present church. In the 15th century, the bell tower apparently collapsed, and the damaged arcades were rebuilt in the nascent flamboyant gothic style, which was still not very strong. Then, from the last quarter of the 15th century until the beginning of the 16th century, all the other old parts were successively demolished, and a new church was built. Its nave and aisles are characterized by their elegance and a particularly pure flamboyant style. The eastern parts are less homogeneous and of a simpler workmanship, but they include sculpted lanterns. The bell tower was not completed until well after the end of the Gothic period, probably after 1600, but its stone spire is still in the Gothic tradition. Outside, the western portal and the richly decorated porch to the market square on the north side are also noteworthy. The church was listed as a historical monument by decree of November 3, 1927, and was restored by the commune during the 1980s.