Eglise Saint-Onésime de Donchery
Open from 8:30 a.m. to 16:30 p.m. every day
The Saint-Onésime church, located in the heart of the village, has an elongated plan with a three-aisled nave and a double transept. The choir is rectangular and the sacristy is at the corner of the transept. A wooden staircase leads to the organ loft, while a second, made of stone, leads to the attic. The square-plan frame bell tower is located at the ridge of the transept. The building is constructed of Dom-le-Mesnil stone, except for the northern side in limestone rubble. The floor of the nave is paved with black marble and bluestone, and the walls are pierced with pointed arched bays. The interior vaults are ribbed and the entire building is covered in slate.
The crossings of the double transept and the choir were built in the second half of the 12th century, as indicated by the capitals, some of which have been restored. The east and south bays of the choir and the south portal were built in the 14th century. A major reconstruction campaign took place in the early 16th century, with the date 1514 visible on the nave vault. The sacristy dates from 1693. In the 19th century, several works were carried out: removal of the gargoyles in 1849, reconstruction of the gable wall in 1865, and restoration of the south portal in 1875. The church was badly damaged during the First World War, leading to restorations between 1919 and 1935, and again from 1956 to 1958 after the Second World War. In 887, Donchery was given to the Abbey of Saint-Médard de Soissons to found a priory.
The crossings of the double transept and the choir were built in the second half of the 12th century, as indicated by the capitals, some of which have been restored. The east and south bays of the choir and the south portal were built in the 14th century. A major reconstruction campaign took place in the early 16th century, with the date 1514 visible on the nave vault. The sacristy dates from 1693. In the 19th century, several works were carried out: removal of the gargoyles in 1849, reconstruction of the gable wall in 1865, and restoration of the south portal in 1875. The church was badly damaged during the First World War, leading to restorations between 1919 and 1935, and again from 1956 to 1958 after the Second World War. In 887, Donchery was given to the Abbey of Saint-Médard de Soissons to found a priory.
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