St. Martin's Church

The Saint-Martin church is a Catholic parish church located in Omerville, France. It is characterized by its elongated plan, with a single nave, with bays from four different periods that follow one another in succession, and a central Romanesque bell tower. Together with the walls of the second and third bays of the nave, it represents the oldest part of the church, and should date back to at least the last quarter of the eleventh century, or even the very beginning of the twelfth century. Unfortunately, the elegant stone spire added in the middle of the 12th century was demolished around 1905, and replaced by a simple roof. Inside, the Romanesque character has been well preserved in the barrel-vaulted base of the bell tower. A two-bay choir, whose vaulting style reflects the last years of the early Gothic period, was substituted for the primitive apse around 1220-1230. When the choir was enlarged by the addition of a canted apse in the last quarter of the 13th century or the beginning of the 14th century, the second bay was partially demolished for unknown reasons. Its vault with supports in the radiating Gothic style therefore belongs to the construction campaign of the apse. It is the most elegant part of the church, even though the filling of most of its windows was simplified during earlier restorations. Once the new apse was completed, the church could only be lengthened by adding a bay in front of the Romanesque nave. By its style reflecting the transition from the flamboyant Gothic to the Renaissance, which is perfectly illustrated by the baptismal font, it can be dated to the middle of the 16th century. Due to a lack of space to the west, access is from the south, through a classical portal built in the 17th century. Thus, practically all the periods are represented in the church of Omerville. Its heterogeneous character constitutes rather the rule in the French Vexin, than an exception, and its architecture does not offer anything exceptional, if it is not the archaic invoice of the bell-tower. It is especially by its particular silhouette and by its good state of conservation that the church Saint-Martin seduces. It has been classified as a historical monument since 1927, and is today affiliated to the parish of Magny-en-Vexin, which uses it for Eucharistic celebrations only once or twice a year. Built for the glory of God, it is now content with its role as a witness to the past.