Church of the Holy Cross

Architecture:

The Church of Sainte-Croix, together with its cemetery, is situated in the town centre of Sainte-Croix-Grand-Tonne.
The church is in the Sulpician style (a blend of ancient, Neo-Gothic, Neo-Romanesque and Neoclassical styles).
Its reconstruction began in part in 1756 and continued in 1855.
It was built by Madame de Madillan de Lesparre, Countess of Lassy, who bequeathed it to the local residents.

Exterior elevation: The main façade is in the Roman style. The façade rises over three levels, each progressively smaller than the one below. The portal, with its low arch, is surmounted by moulding in the form of an entablature and a motif of rectangles with concave corners. It is flanked by two pilasters. The whole is crowned by a hexagonal drum adorned with a clock. This supports a hexagonal aedicule topped by a dome and featuring semicircular arched openings, which serve as sound-absorbing panels.

The two side walls are laid out in a similar manner. They are opened up by low-arched openings. Each arm of the transept has two low-arched openings in its side walls.

Access to the annexe is possible from the east, and two rectangular openings face south.
The entire building is covered by a hipped roof.

Points of interest:

Pulpit, confessional, choir stalls and crucifix
18th century
Painting “Descent from the Cross” (listed object – ISMH 1975)
Canvas (100 x 80) – Oil painting – 17th century, after Philippe de Champaigne
High altar (listed object – CLMH 1977)
Third quarter of the 18th century (c. 1759) Jeaurat (attributed to)
Wood – Pedestal altar with reclining lamb.

Altarpiece (listed object – CLMH 1977)
Third quarter of the 18th century (c. 1759)
Wood: painted (imitation marble, polychrome)
The altarpiece follows the shape of the chancel wall closely; the central section has simple side panels, supporting a curved cornice crowned with cascading flowers and topped by a cross; the wings are adorned with panels featuring concave, rounded corners, on which the instruments of the Passion are depicted in relief; flat cassolettes on the cornice.

Painting “The Finding of the Holy Cross” (listed object – CLMH 1977)
Third quarter of the 18th century (c. 1759)
Located in the choir altarpiece – Canvas – Oil painting

Tabernacle (listed object – CLMH 1977)
Third quarter of the 18th century (c. 1759)
Wood – Pelican on the tabernacle

Choir screen (listed object – CLMH 1977)
18th century
Wrought iron

Painting “The Assumption” (listed object – CLMH 1975)
18th century – Jeaurat (painter)

In the altarpiece of the north transept – Canvas – Oil painting
Painting “Saint Gregory” (“Saint Charles Borromeo”: former title of the work as recorded in the protection order) (listed object – CLMH 1975)
18th century – Jeaurat

South side altarpiece. After the painter Annibale Carracci, known as Annibale Carracci (painting destroyed, formerly in Rome, Church of San Gregorio al Celio)
Appears to have been painted for a much larger frame.

Commemorative plaque (listed object – ISMH 1977)
18th–19th centuries
Plaque marking the church’s reconstruction – Church rebuilt between 1756 and 1855

Sources
https://pop.culture.gouv.fr
https://recensement.patrimoine-religieux.fr/