St. Martin's Church

Saint-Martin Church is a Catholic parish church located in Amblainville, Oise, France. The foundation of the parish probably dates back to at least the 11th century, when the nave was supposedly built. However, the nave has lost its Romanesque character through successive alterations. The woodwork with the inverted hull and perhaps the side aisles date from 1505; the flamboyant gothic portal dates from the second quarter of the 16th century; and the plated arches with the bas-reliefs of the Stations of the Cross and the statues of Old Testament characters only date from 1876 / 1893. This neo-Gothic decoration also includes a pulpit and a confessional in the form of flamboyant aediculae; false ribbed vaults under the gallery and in the south aisle; as well as a large grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes; and was installed by the will of Father Eugene Barret. This priest himself wielded the chisel, and gave the church its present rather extravagant face. However, it was only in 2005 that the high windows of the nave were removed under a large roof common to the central nave and the aisles, and the transept and the small rectangular choir of the first quarter of the 13th century remain quite authentic. In the sanctuary, the decoration from the last quarter of the 19th century has been removed. It remains present in the two Renaissance side chapels added in 1585, where one can even find quality creations, such as the large bas-relief of the Adoration of the Shepherds between Eve and Adam, or two earthenware paintings. As a whole, the church of Saint-Martin today offers a very eclectic image. It was classified as a historical monument by decree of February 2, 1982, and the neo-Gothic decoration of the nave was perpetuated by its registration as an object in 1991. However, the restoration work undertaken between 2005 and 2010 is limited to the roofs, the facade of the nave, the exterior elevations of the aisles and the grotto of Lourdes. The church of Saint-Martin is now affiliated with the parish of Saint-Martin de Méru-lès-Sablons, and hosts early Sunday masses once a quarter.