Église Sainte-Geneviève de Gouvieux, Gothic church in Gouvieux, France.
Église Sainte-Geneviève de Gouvieux is a parish church whose classical facade and walls largely rebuilt in the 18th century conceal an early Gothic structure. The four eastern bays date from the late 12th century, while the two western bays were added in the 1220s. Inside, light grey stone arcades with clustered columns rise to pointed ribbed vaults; the original rib vaults were replaced in 1861 by false vaults of wood and plaster.
The four eastern bays were built at the end of the 12th century, influenced by Notre-Dame de Paris and the choir of Saint-Leu-d'Esserent; the two western bays date from the 1220s and follow the current of Soissons and Chartres. Ground instability and weak foundations caused structural damage, and the walls were largely reworked in the 18th century. The original rib vaults were replaced in 1861 by false vaults of wood and plaster. The church was inscribed as a monument historique on 12 April 1988.
The parish is dedicated to Sainte-Geneviève and since 1801 has been grouped with Coye-la-Forêt and Lamorlaye under the title "paroisse de Thève-et-Nonette - paroisse Sainte-Thérèse de l'Enfant Jésus". Mass is celebrated every Sunday and several times during the week. In 1825 the churchwardens decided that all seats except those in the choir were sold for life for one franc, the choir seats being rented by the year.
The church stands north of Gouvieux centre on rue Corbier-Thiebaut (RD 612), which runs directly up to the south portal, the entrance normally used. Four other streets converge on the building, including rue des Repas from the east. The chevet abuts private land, but a narrow lane allows a full circuit; no point offers a complete view of the exterior.
The four eastern bays date from the late 12th century and follow Notre-Dame de Paris and the choir of Saint-Leu-d'Esserent; the two western bays were added around 1220 under the influence of Soissons and Chartres. The original rib vaults, lost long ago, were replaced in 1861 by false vaults of wood and plaster.
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