Saint-Germain Church

Listed as a historic monument (18 March 1927)

Architecture
The tower, supported by buttresses, stands between the chancel and the nave. It belongs to the group
of “13th-century bell towers of the Bessin region”.
Its base features a semicircular doorway decorated with a garland of flat heads representing animals with pointed ears, perhaps cats or bats. This decoration is reminiscent of the early 13th century and even the late 12th century. The tower’s architecture reflects the style characteristic of the 14th century.
It is topped by a slender octagonal spire.
The appearance of the bell tower alludes to, though is not a copy of, that of Saint-Pierre Church in Caen.
The date of the nave’s construction is uncertain.
The western portal has retained some particularly interesting original decoration.
Like the small side door mentioned above, 22 radiating motifs form a frieze adorning the semicircular arch: 20 of them depict the heads of figures, several of whom are crowned. This frieze, of exceptional quality, surmounts a bas-relief depicting Christ surrounded by the haloed symbols of the four evangelists: a winged lion (St Mark), a winged ox (St Luke), an eagle (St John) and an angel (St Matthew); each of the three animals rests on a Gospel, whilst the angel holds the Holy Book.
The church’s chancel, like the base of the tower, dates from the early Gothic period.
At the start of the chancel, a pointed arch is supported by two columns resting on plinths carved with figures. The side altars are dedicated to Christ and the Virgin Mary. The chancel and nave are vaulted with ribbed vaults resting on columns with capitals decorated with foliage.

Objects / Points of interest:
Statue of Saint Germain l’Auxerrois (listed object – ISMH 1985)
This statue, dating from the 18th century and made of Noron terracotta, was donated by an anonymous parishioner. It is displayed behind the high altar. It survived the destruction of the bell tower in June 1944.
Saint Germain was a great traveller and preacher. He travelled to Great Britain on two occasions to combat the ‘Pelagian’ heresy that was dividing the country. To this end, he crossed Normandy four times, preaching the Good News. Hence his significant presence in our region of Normandy: 33 communes bear his name. Furthermore, 39 churches in the diocese are dedicated to him.

Statue of the ‘Virgin and Child’ – North side altar (Listed as a historic monument – ISMH 1985)
19th century – Carved stone
Commemorative plaque affixed inside the nave on 24 October 1955 by Bishop Falaize, Bishop of the Canadian Far North
It commemorates the 170 Canadians killed during the fighting at Bretteville in June 1944.
“On 6 June 1944, Allied troops, advancing southwards, were halted at Bretteville by German counter-attacks, but the Allies, after a month of fierce fighting, managed to make headway.”



Additional notes:
Under the Ancien Régime, the parish had been part of Saint-Étienne de Caen since 1082. (I. S. M. H. 1927)
Indeed, on that date, Renoulf, Viscount of Bayeux, donated to the abbey all the land he owned in Bretteville, as well as part of the patronage of St Germain’s Church.
In 1171, Guillaume d’Aboville also donated to the monks half of the patronage he held over St Germain’s Church. The entire patronage thus passed to the abbey. (1)

The church’s former altar (prior to its destruction in June 1944) is now housed in the replica of the Grotto of Lourdes on Rue de Secqueville.