Église Saint-Alain

English translation

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History

In the 11th century, a first church existed, given to the Benedictines in 1097 by Isarn, bishop of Toulouse, on condition that it be rebuilt and a village established around it. The Benedictines established a conventional priory. The portal opening into the second bay of the nave, some later parts and part of the clock tower are remains from this church of the 12th century completed in 1255. In 1317, Lavaur was erected into a bishopric by John XXII and Saint-Alain became a cathedral church. The reconstructions which gave the church its present appearance are due to bishop Jean Vigier, from 1469 to 1497. He had the church enlarged by raising it, by adding the first bay to the west, and by rebuilding the vaults. He also had constructed the four great pillars and the bell tower. The polygonal sanctuary was raised under Simon de Beausoleil, between 1514 and 1523. The latter also had constructed, in the style of that of the cathedral of Albi, a rood screen which was subsequently demolished around 1780 by the last bishop of Lavaur. Pierre du Rosier, bishop from 1500 to 1515, had the stone portal of the main entrance erected. The second sacristy, which served as the chapter house, preserves mural paintings of the 18th century. The interior of the church is covered with grisailles executed around 1840 by the Italian painter Céroni. The windows of the sanctuary are adorned with stained glass with legendary subjects (Passion, Old and New Testaments, life of a bishop). The building is constructed almost entirely in brick. Stone and sandstone have also been used, notably in the construction of certain great arcs of the bell tower and a number of windows. Similarly, the mullions and tracery of windows, as well as the balustrades and corbels.