19th Century French School, Coulommiers, The Old Saint-denys Church, In 1863

French School 19th century signed and dated A, COURTOIS 1863, Coulommiers, the old Saint-Denys church Oil on cardboard, 35x25cm Very rare representation of the old Saint-Denys church in Coulommiers, Successively collegiate then parish church, it meets the needs of the cult for several centuries but was ultimately considered too small and above all too dilapidated at the beginning of the 16th century. On December 7, 1516, the partial collapse of the choir vaults decided the ecclesiastical authorities to begin profound modifications. The bell tower, previously covered by a simple wooden spire, was raised by one floor. The weight of the tower on the pillars will then begin to bend the bell tower, which slowly but inexorably will begin to lean dangerously. In 1882, the municipality decided to demolish the upper part of the bell tower, from which stones were regularly falling out. The rest of the building being hardly in better condition, the construction of a new church (Saint-Denys-Sainte-Foy) was decided on the site of the old cemetery. The consecration of the new church on 16 July 1911. Despite the mobilization of some of the residents and the Historical Monuments Committee, the decision to destroy the old church was finally voted by the municipal council. Demolition work began in 1968. Some vestiges (capitals, statues) saved at the last minute by individuals are preserved at the Commanderie des Templiers de Coulommiers and at the municipal museum of the Capuchins.