Guenroc

Guenroc (into Breton Gwenroc' H , which means “white rock”) is a common department of the Coast-with Armor, in the area Brittany, in France.

Geography

History

I - Presentation of the commune.

Certain old authors suggest that the name of Guenroc would come from St also spelled Guenroc, Guirec and Guero, disciple of St Tugdual, apostle of Lanmeur, abbot of several communities. Finally several families of the area bear the names of Guenroc and Guero. Perhaps did ancestors of these families exist at the time where lived St Guenroc or Guero? We thus think that our common car certainly its name of its rock. Perhaps Guenroc owes its name with white the quartz rock located at the north of the borough; indeed, GWEN into Breton means white and ROCK, rock.

The culminating point of Guenroc reaches a maximum with 103 meters above the sea level; it is located in a small wooded piece close to the place known as " Rosais". The geographical location of Guenroc is the following one: longitude 2° 4' west of Greenwich, latitude 48° 19' north.

Guenroc existed in 1286. It is certain that thorough research would make it possible to prove an older existence. The parish existed in 1371 - Lawsuit of canonization of Charles of Blois.

Our commune has a blazon, of very old origin which is read as follows: “Of money with 3 rocks of chess-board of mouth 2 and 1” what wants to say that the bottom of the ecu is of color money and the three rocks of red color. The lords of Lattay who existed before the 12th century had the same blazon with a edge around while that of Guenroc does not have any.

The limits of Guenroc are the following ones: In the east and the south, the Rancid one, coastal river, become on its territory a lake following the construction of the dam Rophemel put out of water in 1937. In the west, one of its affluents, Fremeur, then a line going of this river to the place known as " The Pit in Loup" materialized by brooks and old ways. In the North-West by the wood known as of Guenroc, being specified that this limit is located in on this side road going of the " Pit in Loup" with the secondary road D 39. This small road as well as a band of wooded grounds skirting it belong to the commune of Plumaudan. Then the secondary road D 39 is used as limit with our commune until the junction with that serving Saint Maden. It is advisable to follow, in prolongation of D 39, a slope to go down again towards the south by taking a communal way arriving at the Houses of the Bridge of Rancid then the Rancid one until the Stopping.

Guenroc is surrounded by the communes of Plouasne, Guitté, Caulnes, Plumaudan, Saint Maden. We announce that formerly the commune counted among its neighbors that of Médréac; this one was bordering the Rancid one since the river of Néal to the brook of the City-Snap ring in Guitté. It is an order of the prefect of October 3rd, 1832 which, in consequence of exchange, made it possible the commune of Guitté to become bordering the Rancid one since the river of Néal.

The surface of Guenroc is of 738 ha 79 has 62 Ca, river, ways, roads, included/understood. In 1855 we raise 738 ha 83 thus has 40 Ca few changes. We on the other hand noted important modifications in 1 ' use of the grounds. In 1855 we found 438 ha out of arable lands, 41 ha in meadows and pastures, 87 ha out of wooden, 14 ha in orchards and gardens, 78 ha in moors and waste lands. In 1990, we note that 428 ha are out of arable lands, 61 ha in meadows, 122 ha out of wooden, 39 ha in moors and 7 ha in gardens. For these two years, the figures do not include/understand the various grounds, ways, roads, rivers and.

Our ground is very varied and often lack of homogeneity

the schists and conglomerates - stones rounded and connected by a natural cement - give heavy grounds where gray clays and ochers make of them impermeable grounds gorged with water in winter becoming dry and hard in summer, which it is essential to drain.
sands and conglomerates give grounds a little less heavy.
the granite by its decomposition, forms good rather filter silico-argillaceous grounds.
the quarzites give rather skeletal and dry grounds where the bed rock levels.
the Armorican sandstone
One finds also iron in several places of the commune. At the time when there were carts with large barded iron wheels which dug deep ruts, the water which stagnated there became color rusts. It is not astonishing besides that an old residence bears the name of " Roux" field;.

Stone quarries and slates knew a certain activity formerly. The last stone quarry located in the wood of Guenroc ceased its activity only in 1935-1936.

It has been also interesting to follow the evolution of the population of our commune for two hundred years: 1790:513 H * 1796: 507 H * 1802: 433 H * 1838: 526 H * 1850: 587 H * 1870: 560 H * 1880: 503 H * 1913: 412 H * 1922: 350 H * 1938: 339 H * 1954: 279 H * 1962: 268 H * 1968: 249 H * 1975: 193 H * 1982: 185 H * 1989: 177 H. These figures concern only the people who live the commune of permanent way.

There exists, in Guenroc, of very many second home which the owners live only in end of the week or during the holidays. Those are thus listed where they are in a quasi permanent way. Their number is not negligible, it reaches an important figure compared to the census of the people domiciled in our commune.

And now we in our pretty commune of Guenroc walk. Any lord any honor, let us start by admiring our rock. Bertrand Robidou in his " History and Panorama of beautiful Pays" we described it in a very original way; we could not resist the pleasure of quoting this text gone back to 1892. “We leave Rennes, one morning of April with Theophilus Monnier. Ludovic Jan, the poet of Caulnes, (deceased in 1894 at the 30 years age) awaited us the station… We leave for Guenroc… White Guenroc Rock. By far we see this enormous block of quartz dominating the borough as crushed at its base. On the top of the rock a large cross or martyrdom planes. “We arrive quickly at the foot, in spite of the hard rise of this Golgotha. It is Sunday. Vespers will start and soon the small temple sends to us, like lower part the ground, its psalms, its anthems and its sung canticles with full head by rustic musicians, renting God of all their heart. Do we Somme in the roofs of a cathedral? It would be said. This effect of acoustics is beautiful on a theater; it is more curious and more pricking here. The quartzic monticule that we fullers is really extraordinary. It is after Bécherel one from the most admirable points of view of Brittany. It is not only one block, it is a hill whose prolongation, at the end opposed to the borough, hides under a wood that it makes luminous, especially the evening, by bright whiteness that quartz projects. We go down from this pinnacle filled with wonder at the glance that it got…” Thank you Bertrand Robidou to us. Let us note that when one is with the foot of the cross, one can see in clear weather without fog, with binoculars, sixteen bell-towers located more or less far. We will add to this if sympathetic nerve description that this rock which is prolonged towards the West is used as natural support with the statue of the " Roi" Christ; and further continues, beyond the monument We find our rock behind the cemetery which is useful to him of natural fence and further still along the small abrupt road located at the east from the Church. Finally underground seams of this quartz thread under the borough a little everywhere. We find quartz apparant even in the foundations of certain houses and here and there on most of our territory… yes, really we are well in Guenroc!

The territory of our commune is montueux. It was before the construction of the dam Rophemel surrounded by the Rancid one which curved in the middle of a deep valley sometimes on a side, sometimes of the other. Meadows with the liking of the meanders bordered our small river. Those ridged on rock hills covered with trees which rose up to the level of the cultivable grounds. One could admire natural flowers and much of heathers. From time to time liftings barred the Rancid one creating levels which were used for the drive of the wheels out of wooden intended for operation of the grinding stones of many mills. The Stopping whose setting in water goes back to September 1937 deeply modified this valley, the meadows and the mills obviously disappeared. The wooded hills are always there and the very beautiful points of view always. If you take since the borough the various roads, which for the majority of them, form a star whose branches move towards the lake, you will be able to admire many panoramas different from/to each other which will make you discover remote campaigns. The road which moves towards the village of Choltais and the stopping will give access you a pedestrian path which will make you discover pretty sights on the lake.

You will be able to profit from the sight of small main forests randomly of your walks. Let us recall that there are 122 hectares. Unfortunately we were on the way of the hurricane - winds of more than 200 km/h in October 1987 - which because of very forest extensive damage. These solid masses are in the course of rebuilding thanks to the effort of their owners.

Finally you will discover here and there crosses out of wooden and stone, fountains, houses old and old manors whose majority have a history - they were renovated or are in the course of restoration - new houses also and to crown the unit our Church gone back to 1465, supplement the aspect of our commune.

We will finish by announcing that along the road on the left of the Church, after having exceeded a last detached house opposite wood to approximately 200 meters in the cultivated fields, one discovered into 1896 of the Roman vestiges: furnaces, foundation of Roman houses. Let us not forget indeed that the antique sees Roman going from Corseul to Vannes passed in the wood of $the Hague very close to Caulnes. When the station was built one found many vestiges Roman. In addition, about the same time also cut stones of Celtic origin were discovered.

II - The church of GUENROC.

The environment of the church such as it arises date of 1908 today. Before it was surrounded of the cemetery which, side borough, effleurait the first houses. Two very narrow ways allowed the passage of the horse-drawn carriages, of the carts. without more. To allow a normal circulation, the Municipal council of the time removed the cemetery in his southern part what allowed the construction of the two current roads.

The church is directed towards the east according to the tradition which wants that the Christians, in prayers, are turned towards the Holy Places where Christ exerted her Ministry and underwent her Passion. To which time does go back it? you are not unaware of, to have noted it, that the builders of churches and houses were accustomed to indicating on those the completion dates of work, but this date exists. By examining the large gate west coast, especially the posts of left you will discover letters in relief, registered in Gothic characters. Several specialists read them… we cannot that to believe them… thanks to them one can read " YEAR MIIIILXV JHESUS My… " The Year millet four hundred and sixty five Jesus Maria". The construction of this building was thus finished in 1465. We do not know the start date of work, that of 1458 was often advanced what appears not very credible… seven years to us representing one quite short duration for the time…

We will make the turn of it while starting with the large door, west coast. This frontage, decorated of an escutcheon that all the authors qualify the enigmatic one, stamped of a heaume with lambrequin is enlightened of a large stained glass with mullion given to nine a few years ago. The Gate is very well preserved, the cords of the warhead fall down on committed posts which or are ringed small capitals and foliages or are carved in letters and Gothic figures providing the date of the church which we previously maintained you. On both sides of this door, at its base, exist two cut stones on which, at the time of processions, carriers of reliquaries were placed what made it possible all the participants to pass under the relics of the Saints and to obtain their protection from it. The whole of this frontage is of a simple beauty but very pleasant has to look at.

Let us return to the escutcheon " énigmatique" who is above the door. In 1447, the Manor of Lattay was inhabited by Tanguy of Chastel towards 1495 this seigniory was it by Jacques Bernier. Our church having been built at that time, it was normal that one of these two lords made engrave its armorial bearings on this building. However it is that the Bernier family carried " of azure to the money helmet roasted and tared profil". One could be delighted to have left this blazon anonymity; unfortunately by examining this blazon more attentively one can think than this helmet is only the stamp of the ecu. Then, Bernier or not Bernier? Let us recognize that there exists a disconcerting coincidence which enables us to think in spite of very that Jacques Bernier had made, in one way or another placing its helmet on the frontage of our church.

We direct towards the Western frontage, vis-a-vis the borough, we pass in front of a stained glass then stop us in front of a door which points out that, larger than we have just described. As one can note it, the threshold is very worn. It was used as entry in the church and this, during many years. It was sheltered by a roof whose water was collected by the superb granite waste-gas main with mouth of rat on console of will mascarons. Many churches of our area could preserve their entries under shelter. The small door by which one currently enters the church did not exist formerly. The current reinforced concrete warhead which goes back to 1939 is not very happy it replaced a beam of wood which was not either in the style of the church. This door opened in a hopper closed by one second door. This hopper was removed at the time of the renovation works carried out in 1938.

The War memorial was built in 1948 under the terms of an order of the prefect of December 11th, 1947. Its cement superstructures were such as they hid half of the beautiful stained glass with mullions of Gothic style. Those were removed to preserve only the framed commemorative plaque of two pilasters Kerîman granite: work carried out in 1961.

Further we let us be in front of several tomb stones. on the first one reads " Ci-to lie Lord Discret J-M Legallais, former vice-chancellor of Maden Saint, born in Guenroc on July 23rd, 1810, deceased on January 16th, 1887, request for lui". Over the second " Ci-to lie, while waiting for happy resurrection, the body of Worthy and Discrete Lord Abbé Francois, Marie Faruel, Vice-chancellor of Guenroc, born to St Cast, deceased on May 23rd, 1893, Of profundis" Into the third fall puts back the body of Lord Abbé Mathurin Jallu last vice-chancellor resident with Guenroc born on June 27th, 1892 with Loscouët-on-Meu. He was vice-chancellor of our parish since the ler October 1937 and died there on April 3rd, 1965. Monseigneur Coupel, Bishop of St Brieuc and Tréguier had proposed to him into 1954 to appoint it Recteur of the Parish of Merléac. Liking Guenroc deeply and knowing that it would probably not be replaced, there had declined this proposal having decided to remain more the possible for a long time in our Parish.

Further, fall it from François Rochefort deceased on December 11th, 1889 in its 66ème year " good spirit and good father, regretted of all, having carried out 54 years of service with the church of Guenroc". We pass in front of that of Perrine Coulombel, Sœur of the Sacred Heart, deceased in Guenroc in 1876. Finally we see that of Lord Alexandre Moisan, Vicaire of the Parish of Guenroc since September 25th, 1877 deceased at 38 years on February 13rd, 1879.

On this frontage, above these tombs, exists an opening with stained glass and a stone which probably preserves the traces of two escutcheons which carried, one can think it, the weapons of St PERN and another family in recognition of the assistance that they would have brought to the financing of the rebuilding of part of the chorus of the Church. , We continue are in front of the frontage Is. In its work " Sanctuaries, Cross and Fontaines" Mathurin MONNIER announced the disgracieux appendix which, placed between two buttresses, supporting the " Céleste" day;. Built about 1869, it made at the time the joy of the Parishioners! This one does not exist any more. The " Jour" was replaced by a stained glass which we will describe further.

We arrive at the Northern frontage with openings and stained glasses which do not call for any particular observations. We will carry our glance on the pretty small cemetery, placed between the Church and the Rock of Quartz: Granite cross in the medium and on the left cross out of wooden which dominates the unit.

We place maintaining in the middle of the borough and examine the roof of our church from where a fine slate arrow emerges. This roof is obviously not as old as the Church. Since 1465, there was certainly many work carried out to ensure maintenance of it. We know however that in 1890, it rained abundantly inside. The skirtings forming the interior vault were rotted and the remainder with the endorsement. At that time, when one was to undertake work of great importance, it was necessary to request the assistance of the population to obtain the required funds with their financing. To remake a roof thus posed a serious almost insurmountable problem…. During several years this one, with the great despair of all, could not be solved. But Providence took care and this one appeared in the presence of Pierre Mahé, clerk being studied of Master Hillarion Forcoueffe, at the time, Maire of Guenroc. Pierre Mahé, single person, lived little… it " money of côté" put; , so that the inhabitants of Guenroc made it pass for miserly… Well quickly, those reconsidered their opinion. In 1883, it acquired near the Galle House of Rennes of a clock for the church. There probably was not before. This one had a mechanism actuated by two weights, one advanced the needles, the other was intended to make sound the hours and half-hours. Pierre Mahé had made place two dials, one at the base of the bell-tower side borough, the second, smaller, on the Western pinion. It seems that this last did not function very a long time. It was essential that the weights had gone up each day.

In the bell-tower, there were two bells. The first, " Nathalie" , was bénite on October 2nd, 1763. It had for Parrain Pierre Placide Of St Pern, Seigneur Of Lattay and for Marraine Nathalie of Bourdonnaye de Lire, his wife. Unfortunately Nathalie is not there any more. What did it become? Our research did not succeed, for a very long time, it is not made by it any mention. We know only that during the Revolution of 1789, by decree, the small parishes which held two bells are transfered to dispossess of the one of it intended to be molten… it was probably Nathalie who was selected. The second bell, " Françoise" , was bénite in 1773. It had for Parrain Yves Reslou, Seigneur of Poked, owner of Lattay since 1769 and for Marraine Francoise De Bénazé Kérivert of the Rock. This bell is still present and is made hear the every day.

Let us return to our sympathetic nerve Pierre Mahé which died on October 23rd, 1893. It was buried in the cemetery of Guenroc where exists always its tomb Rocher side in top and on the right. The inhabitants of Guenroc learned whereas it had, from alive sound, thought of the church and that its avarice was only apparent since it had written a will by which it bequeathed to the Parish all its economies which were important since, according to his will, they were to be used with the financing of the repairing of the roof of the Church. Thus in 1895, the roof and the bell-tower were given to new by Marie Pellan, roofer with " The Auray" City; in Guenroc. Unfortunately, at that time, the things of the past were hardly respected. This roof was not remade such as it was previously. Indeed, if one observes the chevronnières on both sides, one notes that it was with two slopes like all the old churches of our area. Moreover, the ridge sheathing was certainly not out of zinc but in coupled tiles the ones with the others by mortar. In the same way, the openings placed on the roof would have being rebuilt out of wood and slates and not out of zinc. Let us note that at that time, zinc, very new material, knew a very great favor

The cock that we knew went back to 1895 In 1911, it was descended by Alexandre Pellan, roofer, to the Auray City, and was walked in all the commune. In 1934, the cross and consequently the cock had taken " an air penché" , the central beam of the bell-tower which supported them was rotted in its top. Mr Grison of Médréac, helped by the brothers Levacher de Guitté descend the cross and the cock and saw the beam in his damaged part. All is positioned back, but the arrow takes in its top a round form… one carries out the repair of the sounding-board and bell chamber at the same time. In 1969, the cross and the cock are again leaning and all is gone down again! … The Hériau company of St Aubain of the Moors, close to Glazed reconstitutes the top of the arrow in its pointed form of the origin. Once this rebuilt part, our bell-tower finds its old elegance and… the cross and the cock are once more positioned back. Arrive the cyclone of 1987… the roof is quickly repaired. Under the blast pressure, the bell-tower was slightly inclined… this time, one goes down again neither the cross nor the cock because the new part extremely well resisted pushed winds. The arrow is rectified and stabilized by the installation of four steel tubes with tensioners resting on the frame of the church. They block the central beam up to twelve meters height compared to its base; the arrow, very whole, rising with 16 meters above the roof. Our cock having aged is replaced by nine. At the base of the bell-tower existed a cross formed by an adequate provision of slates, one did not see it almost more, it was remade with the identical one. Benefitting from all this work, an ionizing lightning conductor is placed at the top of the arrow. Then, the old white dial offered by Pierre Mahé is descended and replaced by new on slate bottom much more in harmony with the beauty of our bell-tower. It is not besides any more the mechanism of our generous giver who sounds us the hours - this one is deposited with the Town hall - nor the cord drawn by our former verger Constant Gauvain who actuates the bell to call us with the religious ceremonies. An electrical installation installation by the Bodet House in 1971 ensures the operation of the needles of the dial and makes sound our Francoise bell.

We penetrate in the church by the small door southern part. We are in a Vault having a level lower than the whole of the building. We point out that the inscriptions being reproduced on the posts of the large door indicate the year 1465 thus that of the end of the building work of the church. One can think that this vault known as of Beaumont existed before and that our church could have been built on its foundations. The Parish of Guenroc depended at the time of the diocese of St Malo and the manor of Beaumont in Guitté was during very a long time the country house of the Bishops of this Diocese who lived it until 1458 then gave up it. At the time of work of restoration of this Vault, many a money bones and especially ring with site of a stone were updated. Fault of financial means, the excavations were not continued. The discovery of this ring would let suppose that a bishop was buried in this Vault. Rene Couffon, in his work " Repertory of the Churches and Vaults of the Diocese of St Brieuc and Tréguier" , we specifies that at the time of construction of the churches, ours in particular, there were no vaults, not stained glasses, only of glasses, not of coatings, not of woodworks. The Furnace bridges did not support gate vaults. The Eucharistique Reserve was deposited in a stone sacraire generally, sometimes out of wood, placed in a cavity of the wall nearest to the Furnace bridge. The Master Furnace bridge, initially built against the wall top of the chorus, presents the same aspect as that of the Vault of Beaumont, probably older. The three other furnace bridges are also of the time of the church, that of the Vault of St Hubert or of the Rosary, in the shape of sarcophagus, presents the same mouldings as those of the pillars forming a square in the middle of the transept. Mr Paillard who resided at the Castle of Hac, Quiou, Member of the Commission of Sacred art of Chalon-sur-Marne, left us a very interesting document concerning the High altar and the furnace bridge of the Vault of Beaumont. We reproduce the terms of them: “Two of the Furnace bridges of Guenroc offer a rather rare characteristic " they are constant in their former part by only one and central column and the edge of the stone of furnace bridge with the column shows to the visitor, with his entry, the silhouette of the letter T. This " T" is not other than the " Tau" antique engraved or painted as of the first centuries by the Christians on the walls of the catacombs like symbol of the Cross. The first Fathers of the Church made this bringing together and St Jerome made it final. One finds Furnace bridges, having seen of face, a form of T at the time Mérovingienne and Carolingienne. They are done then rarer and the Furnace bridges of Guenroc, which are of XVe, were probably inspired by other Furnace bridges much older which remained in the area. How is it made however that this form was preserved in Brittany whereas it disappeared everywhere else? ”

The Chorus was rebuilt during the 18th century, moreover a stone gone back to 1773 exists at the top of the arc located on the right of the chorus, more close to the wall. We wondered a long time why this rebuilding had being carried out. We can perhaps bring an answer to this problem. By chance, our secretary of Town hall, Mrs. Ruellan, by seeking a document in the acts of Civil statue of the commune of Guitté, our neighbor, could read on the register of the deaths of the year 1734, a handwritten annotation written by the Priest of the time that we reproduce: “On January 9th, 1734, day of Sundays, approximately five hours of the evening, it rose a storm which lasted until the morning of the following day, the wind was if violent that it reversed several houses and caused notable losses with the others by great repairs which it caused. Very great quantities of apple trees were cut down and uprooted and those which remained were broken and broken by districts and that extremely far. The oaks which have more resistance because of the grosses and deep roots that they push, were not free. Several vessels and boats were submerged. Fright and consternation were large and the Old ones acknowledged not to have heard of a similar hurricane which rose north”. It was thus about a cyclone, but that one came from North, contrary to that which we knew in October 1987 which came from south-west. Since it came from north and that, contrary to the nave of our church which was protected by our rock, it could be that the roof of the chorus received full whip all the force of the cyclone and that the roof, (frame and masonry), would thus have flown away from where the need for a rebuilding. An architect, with which we announced our assumption, thinks that indeed the masonry which consists of stones smaller than those of the nave could be rebuilt. On the other hand, it does not seem which the pillars of the chorus had to undergo the effects of the cyclone if this one is well at the origin of carried out work. Obviously thirty-nine years would have been passed between that of the demolition and that of the repairing; let us recall that at that time, work was carried out by the voluntary ones and using gifts; the traces of the two escutcheons which would have been those of St Pern and of another family that we previously announced, would confirm this assumption. As a whole, one can think that this church had almost the same aspect as the current one except for the site of the High altar which was against the wall at the bottom of the chorus. If one observes the whole of the building, while placing oneself in the middle of the central alley, owe the platform, one notes his beautiful ordinance, his nave which includes/understands three spans whose cylindrical pillars without capitals receive the ogival arcades. Higher, to transept crossing, four beautiful and powerful cylindrical pillars, much higher than those of the nave are connected by high arcades to form the support of the bell-tower. Lastly, chorus with two spans with which the Roman arches fall down on also cylindrical pillars. Then two of the same sides length than the Church, cut by arcs supplementing the transept. The unit is balanced perfectly. You will have noticed that with the junction of the arcs and the pillars as well in the chorus as in the nave, exist traces of escutcheons. Those point out the families of Guenroc which, most probably, had poured the required funds with the purchase of materials intended for the construction of the church. Under the terms of a decree of the Convention of October 23rd, 1793 whose deliberation of the General advice of the Coasts of the North of December 26th of the same year requires of them the execution, the 10 escutcheons located inside the church and both others existing outside were hammered with an aim of making disappear all the marks from feudality of the Middle Ages. Lastly, we recall that the church turned towards the East has, like all those of this time, the shape of a cross, the transept forming the arms of this one. You will notice that the chorus closed by its pillars is slightly eccentric. This provision would have been desired, it would symbolize the head of Christ leaning on the cross. Here and there, on the ground, exists several tumulary stones. Many burials were carried out inside the church until 1758 time to which a Royal Edict prohibited this use.

During XVI and XVIIes centuries, the interior of the church was deeply modified. We could not find documentation precise on work which was carried out during this long time. We know however that to this time the woodworks go back from the bottom of the chorus which support the statues of St Protais and St Gervais, Patron saint of our church. There was a retable connecting these two woodworks to the medium of which a gate vault had been placed. Woodworks entirely recovered the High altar. The four other furnace bridges also accepted woodworks. Grids surrounded the furnace bridges of the vaults of Beaumont and the Rosary. Gate vaults were placed on these four furnace bridges. The chorus was separated from the nave by a communion table out of wood and a pulpit out of carved wooden supported on one of the large pillars, the unit the 17th century. The two sides were closed by stalls of which some still exist. The naked frame until this time was covered with a vault out of wooden and an interior coating covered the walls.

At the bottom of the church, a rather pretty platform is built. The light continued to penetrate in the church by canopies out of simple or frosted glass. It is during the XVII and XVIIIes centuries that statues, currently classified among the Historic buildings, were placed in our church. XVIe. St Mathurin exorcizing an young girl, groups polychrome wood. XVIlème St Gervais, St Protais, co. Beard, stuccoed and polychrome wood. XVIllème. St Hackney carriage, German St, Virgin with the child, St Francois, St Michel embanking the Demon For this enumeration it is necessary to add a rather pretty statue out of wooden; we think it rare, estimated per much the XVIIIe representative the Trinity: God the Father capped with a tiara, Jesus Christ in cross and St Spirit under the appearance of a dove. In short, these two centuries wanted to remove the severity of the churches and to make hotter and more accessible buildings of them.

Since we quoted the old statues, allow us an interlude to describe you the other richnesses of our church which, although not classified, are worthy of interest. Close to the stoup, a statue of St Therese of the child Jesus de Lisieux. A Christ of wood whose arms and legs were broken and the very deteriorated head. It is certainly about a very old work which could date from XVIIe or 18th century. This relic was discovered in 1938 pennies a heap of faggots in the attic of the house, was said of Lustembour, then inhabited by Adolphe Percevault, old property of the parish church and old residence of the verger of Guenroc. The two stone tanks, placed close to Christ, would be can be old baptismal font. The large tank, with pedestal, was inside the church in the angle formed by the nave and the transept side midday, the other close to the fountain of Cariou, it was used as outfall and the cows came there to water themselves. The small stoup which is with the bottom of the nave was found at Miss Forcouëffe, currently house belonging to the Dupont-Delestre family. The column which supports it at summer found, broken into two, during the construction of the way of Cariou. Lastly, two modern statues, out of wood, deserve your attention. The first, located in the Vault of the Virgin, represents St Hubert, it goes back to 1942. This work is due to the scissors of an artist dinannais Paul Durand. It is the reproduction more or less of an old statue of St Hubert which is in the Notre Dame vault Top in Trédaniel. The second, due to the same artist, is on the furnace bridge close to the sacristy and represents co. Anne sitting on a cathèdre Examine the details! Paul Durand, to carry out his masterpieces, used days before beams of wood coming from old farms of the area in the course of restoration. In addition, the church has: a silver chalice and patene dating from the end of the 17th century, four other chalices of which one belonged to Jean Baptiste Morin, child of Guenroc. It celebrated its first large' mass in our church on Sunday, July 17, 1904. Its name is reproduced on our War memorial, of the war 1914-1918. A second chalice is that of the Abbot Jallu, last Vice-chancellor resident of our parish which died there on April 3rd, 1965 at 7 p.m. The Parish also has two Monstrances, one coppers some, the other out of money, one limps Holy oils with two bulbs, the silver whole gone back to 1783. The silver chalice and patene as limp it Holy oils and its two bulbs are classified among the Historic buildings.

The Parish of Guenroc is doubtless at the head located small communes of the department as for the number of the protected objects. Let us return now at the 18th century In 1789 and during the Revolutionary Age, it does not seem that our church suffered much.

We reproduce an extract of " however; History of the Country of Dinan of 1789 with 1815" of the Abbot Auguste Lemasson gone back to 1926 concerning our church. " The Revolution confiscated the pieces of furniture just as easily that the buildings of the churches. June 12th, 1794 a first sale of furniture and ornaments of the church of Guenroc brought back 20 Books to the Jacobins. One second, the next on July 6th, produced 146 Pounds. August 24th of this same year, one inventoried in Dinan, before dispatching it with the Currency, the top of a Monstrance assembling itself on the foot of a Chalice, the foot of a Chalice and his false cut, the lid of a Ciborium and his foot, the whole weighing 5 Marcs, 3 Ounces of white money, a Cross, a Censer and his Shuttle, weighing 16 Marc, 6 Ounces of white money, a cut of Ciborium, another of Chalice, Patène, a Lunule, weighing 2 gilded money Marcs. The Consulate restored with the church of Guenroc for 16,50 francs of confiscated revenues. It is probable that our Bell " Nathalie" belonged to these confiscations. N.B.: The Marc weighed 244,75 G and the Ounce 30,594 G. We raised in a study carried out by the Paris-Jallobert Abbot of 1900, qu ' Alexandre Tessier, who was vice-chancellor of the Parish of 1747 to September 18th, 1793, goes back to his death with Guenroc, made present at the church of a piece of the True Cross, enchased itself in a crystal cross during a Solemn Mass which was celebrated to it January 1786. In the many documents which we consulted, we did not find any mention of this cross… What is it become? Did it form also part of the confiscated objects enumerated above? Had it been hidden during the Revolution and had been forgotten thereafter? … we will probably never know it!

During many years, the church will continue to be maintained thanks to the gifts and with the testamentary provisions of the parishioners. The circumstances being probably improved, by dividing into sheets many documents, one realizes that in the middle of the 19th century, one takes again the practice to carry out important investments. In 1869, one plans to replace glasses appears it extremely ugly which were at the bottom of the Chorus, by stained glasses of color different decorated from various characters… Unfortunately the amount of the estimate proposed largely exceeded that of the resources one had. It was decided to build a " grotte" as one realized some much at the time. In this one, one planned either to place statues representing a Deposition, or simply to place a Christ on a Cross in the middle of Rocks surrounded by two statues: The Blessed Virgin and Holy Jean. This second project was carried out and one covered this cave of different coloured glasses.

In 1864, a new Way of Cross was set up and in 1866, the Chorus was given to new by the installation of a parquet floor in yew and in chestnut and the Stalls were replaced around the chorus on new supports. We will note that the yew was offered by the Abbot Eyelet, Recteur and the chestnut by the Raval company which ensured the installation of it. In 1874, therefore 5 years after its construction, the " Grotte" who rested outside on a beam out of wooden failed to collapse, this support being rotted. One thus built a retaining wall around the stone buttress of a doubtful taste as announced we it previously. In 1884, all the Furnace bridges were repainted and the paved Chorus. All the pillars and the arcs were mended and rejointed. The stained glasses such as we see them today were placed to replace glasses which existed before. This work could be carried out thanks to the generosity of the parishioners. It is into 1892 that the Forcouëffe Family offered the gilded lamp which was in the middle of the Chorus and whose small flame symbolized the " Réelle" presence; who was in the Gate vault located on the high altar. In 1895, we already spoke about it, the roof of the church was completely remade thanks to the generosity of Pierre Mahé. In 1899, the old benches were replaced by the new ones in chestnut posed on an also new floor. Work of manufacture and installation was ensured by Chollet, carpenter with the borough. In 1902, important work was carried out with the Sacristy, the mayor of the time Histrion Forcouëffe, made replace the floor and the beams which formed the ceiling of the Sacristy. The small staircase which leads on the floor was built at the same time, to facilitate the rise of the verger to the clock of which the weight, we point out it, were to be gone up each Day. It is Pierre Lucas, cartwright carpenter of the borough which carried out this work.

December 9th, 1905, is voted the Law of the Separation of the Church and the State. During its application in 1906, important changes occurred. Thus the Fabric committees, which managed the goods belonging to the Church, were dissolved. That of Guenroc held its last meeting on Sunday, November 25, 1906. On this date the buildings of the churches become communal goods, with load obviously for the communes to maintain them, thus remaining with the parishes only the talks of the pieces of furniture and various objects being inside the churches as well as work known as rental. We do not have by statement of important work until 1938. October 10th, 1937, is named Recteur of Guenroc, Mr the Abbot Mathurin Jallu who came from the Parish of Merdrignac where he was vicar. It was a priest very undertaking and since 1938 and until its death which has occurred on April 3rd, 1965 at 7 p.m., with the presbytery, it made carry out very many work. We will not detail the number impressing of village fairs and organized and always successful festivals, that it will get to him the required funds with the realization of its projects. It accepted gifts of everywhere, not only of the inhabitants of Guenroc but also of all Brittany and areas sometimes very distant. It had the gift of publicity.

The steps of the high altar which were out of wood, moreover very damaged, were removed and one discovered the existence of the masonry which supported the stone steps previously. The pavement of the chorus and the steps of the high altar come from the stones of size which were on the enclosing wall of the church. At that time all the woodworks above and around the three furnace bridges were removed. Those were obviously preserved such as it found, were washed and rejointed.

To give in obviousness the beauty of the pillars, those were removed of the statues and the Way of Cross which they supported. The famous " Devil of Guenroc" who was on the first large pillar in top of the nave, on the level of the last benches, was deposited and put at the site of an old transformed wall cupboard. One said that this group was out of stone and that it would have been, during the Revolution, jeté with ground and that while falling, it would have killed those which had reversed it… A document indicates that it was a little wormeaten in 1870. One can thus think that it was in our church before the Revolution and that it was not out of stone. This group was very known under the name of " Devil of Guenroc" , with much of kilometers to the round. ! " Would be wise said the mother to her turbulent child, if not, the Devil of Guenroc will come you chercher" or when there was a storm " The verger still forgot to close the door of the church and the Devil is échappé".

At the end of 1938, it is the restoration of the Vault of Beaumont. The woodworks located above and in front of the furnace bridge are removed, the grids which also surrounded it one be, the very degraded parquet floor, is removed. There existed at this place and against the small door, a drum of wood with one second door, this to probably avoid the drafts. It was dismounted. The demolition of a very thick coating which recovered the wall placed under the stained glass allowed the update of a small credence and a pretty carved stoup. One notices in the wall after the credence, two stones punts placed one on the other, one can suppose that this furnace bridge had a " sacraire" who contained, as indicated we it previously, the Holy Species since formerly, there was no gate vault on the furnace bridges. These two stones would have been put at this place to remove the cavity practiced in the wall. This furnace bridge is supported by two consoles and a beautiful column out of stone. The ground was altered by preserving the flagstone on which this one rests. One could suppose, since much bones was discovered during work, that it was about a tumulary stone but no inscription is carved there.

In 1939, it has been with the tower of the northern vault side which was indicated under the names of Vault of the Virgin, holy Hubert, or of the Rock, because it was occupied for several centuries by the inhabitants of this manor. In the old documents, one raises name " Vault of Rosaire" , we will preserve this denomination. The woodworks above and around the furnace bridge are removed as well as the grid which surrounded it. One discovered a broad space between the Furnace bridge and the wall of the church, filled of stones and ground… why? … it will not be known. However during clearing, a small credence with a pretty sculpture appeared representing a head of angel. The parquet floor was replaced by granite stones coming from the old well which was in the middle of the borough, Halles side. This furnace bridge which with the shape of a sarcophagus carries mouldings similar to those which exist on the four large pillars of the transept. This detail confirms its date of construction well… the same one as that of the church. Obviously these furnace bridges were entirely stripped. When the woodworks were removed as well as the retables. Only remained at the time the woodworks of the high altar. We maintained you the repair of these vaults. Will know that during the execution of this work, others more important were under study.

In 1942, a new way of cross " patinate blue granite ombre" with framing oak replaces that of 1864 which we maintained you previously. It was carried out by the Master E. Lapeyre. The stations were placed above the pillars to the intersection of the arcs. The stele which commemorates the children of Guenroc died for France, placed on the Furnace bridge St Hackney carriage, in the vault of Beaumont dates from the same year. It is into 1943 that the retable out of wooden of the high altar, probably of the 17th century as the woodworks which framed it at removed summer and unfortunately replaced by new out of cement with Tabernacle. In 1944, the " Holy Table" out of wood dating from the 17th century without one knowing the reasons of them, was dismounted and replaced by new out of cement. In 1945, it is the pulpit also 17th century, which is dismounted and, it also, replaced by a cement news.

In 1973, it is the suppression of the celestial day or cave dating as we already indicated of 1869. During work of demolition one found the sites of the old opening closed by ordinary glasses. The current stained glass thus has exactly same dimensions as glasses of the origin of the church. The cross which was in this cave was placed close to the baptismal font. We have in fact taken again the first idea put forward by the Fabric committee in 1869. This stained glass representing the seven sacraments is due to the glass Master of Rennes Mr Rault. It is specified that it is assembled to old with tenons and keys. The colors which compose it are the blue of Chartres and the red of Bourges.

The electrification of the bell and the clock also goes back to 1971.

Lastly, a niche was recently open in the wall of the Vault of Beaumont to receive the relics of the Saints who formerly left in procession and were relegated in a wall cupboard of the Sacristy. Detail interesting to note: The granite stones which surround this niche go back to 1760. They come from the demolition of the castle of Lattay carried out in 1928. - In this niche two reliquaries are. The first in the form of plated copper monstrance, contains the relics of Patron saint of our church St Gervais and St Protais. It is on May 10th, 1867 that an inhabitant of Guenroc the zouave Prosper Guinard made gift with the Parish of it.

You have just read the history of our church of 1465 to our days. This points out to us what Dom Alexis Presse had said to us, Abbot of the Abbey of Boquen when it had come on Sunday, August 31, 1958 to bless the recently set up Statue of the Crist-King, the very new cross who surmounts our Rock and to celebrate the fifth centenary of our church in the course of construction in 1458. " Admire your beautiful church and think of the embellishment and maintenance work which have been carried out for 500 years by the parishioners of Guenroc while taking on their resources and by carrying out so many work voluntarily. Think of the number of people who entered there to come there to request God and his Saints, to attend with joy the happy ceremonies: baptisms, marriages and others, to come to share the sorrows of the families surrounding their late and to link their prayers together so that they can enjoy the rest and happiness eternal. This church really took part in the life of your pretty village. Do not give up it, continue there to come and like it as much as your ancêtres."

Such is the history, so far, of this church which forms really part of our inheritance.

Guy the PANNETIER of ROISSAY

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External bonds

Guenroc on the site of the national geographical Institute
Guenroc on the site of INSEE
Guenroc on the site of Quid
Localization of Guenroc on a chart of France and communes bordering
Plane on Guenroc on Mapquest
Official site of Guenroc
Guenroc on old postcards

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