The Lampaul-Guimiliau Parish close ( Enclos paroissial) is located at Lampaul-Guimiliau in the arrondissement of Morlaix in Brittany in north-western France. It is a monumental churchyard belonging to the Église Notre-Dame in that town. This church was built in the late 16th century to replace an older one. The structures in the parish close date to the 16th and 17th century. It is a listed historical monument since 1910.

Calvary

Lampaul-Guimiliau - enclos paroissial - croix sur le porche - 014

The Lampaul-Guimiliau parish close boasts two calvaries. One, carved from kersanton stone, dates to the 16th century and is placed on top of the triumphal arch, the entrance to the enclosure, which dates to 1668 and comprises the central cross with gibbets on either side bearing the penitent thief and the impenitent thief. The central cross measures 4 metres in height. There is a statue of

Mary Magdalene Mary Magdalene (sometimes called Mary of Magdala, or simply the Magdalene or the Madeleine) was a woman who, according to the four canonical gospels, traveled with Jesus as one of his followers and was a witness to crucifixion of Jesus, his cru ...

at the base of the cross and on the ornate crosspiece are back to back statues of Saint Peter and Saint John the Evangelist and Saint John with

Saint Paul Paul; grc, Παῦλος, translit=Paulos; cop, ⲡⲁⲩⲗⲟⲥ; hbo, פאולוס השליח (previously called Saul of Tarsus;; ar, بولس الطرسوسي; grc, Σαῦλος Ταρσεύς, Saũlos Tarseús; tr, Tarsuslu Pavlus; ...

. The second calvary is 5.5 metres high and comprises a single shaft at the top of which is a Jesus is crucified with the two thieves on gibbets on either side. On the reverse of Jesus is a pièta, sadly much mutilated, although it was restored in 1993. Below Jesus are two small angels holding a chalice in which they have collected his Blood and under the bad thief there is a depiction of a demon ready to whisk his soul off to hell. Beneath the good thief, the depiction of an angel promises his soul a better fate. File:146.Lampaul-Guimiliau.Le calvaire et l'ossuaire.JPG, A view of the ossuary and the two calvaries at Lampaul-Guimiliau. We see the calvary on the arc de triomphe and the second calvary placed in the churchyard in front of the ossuary File:Lampaul-Guimiliau - Église Notre-Dame - PA00090020 - 022.jpg, Two angels have collected Jesus' blood in a chalice. Part of the Lampaul-Guimiliau calvary File:Lampaul-Guimiliau - Église Notre-Dame - PA00090020 - 021.jpg, A demon under the bad robber waits to whisk his soul to hell. Part of the Lampaul-Guimiliau calvary File:Lampaul-Guimiliau - Église - 131.jpg, The pièta on the calvary at Lampaul-Guimiliau

Ossuary

This building dates to 1667 and is attributed to G. Kerlezroux. The motto "

Memento mori ''Memento mori'' (Latin for 'remember that you ave todie'

and the Virgin Mary and on the right a statue of Saint Pol and the dragon. The "Mise au Tombeau" or Burial of Jesus, shown in the photographs which appear later, was originally in the ossuary, but was subsequently moved to the church. Above the door there is also a sculpture of a man's head: he gingerly strokes his beard. Thus in its overall imagery, the ossuary deals not just with death but life and resurrection.

Porch

This large Gothic porch dates to 1533. At the very top are statues of the Virgin Mary, John the Evangelist and a small angel, these above a niche containing a statue of Saint Pol ( Paul Aurelian). Beneath this is a sculpture depicting Saint Michael slaying the dragon. In the porch interior there are statues in Kersanton stone depicting the twelve apostles. On the east side are Saints Peter, Thomas, Judas, John, James the Greater and James the Lesser. On the west side are Saints Andrew, Phillip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Mathias and Simon. The sculptures depicting Saint Pol and Saint Michael are attributed to Bastien Prigent and those of the Virgin Mary, John the Evangelist and the angel are by Henry Prigent. The porch leads to a double doored entrance to the church. A statue of the Virgin Mary with child is placed over the doors. The porch also contains a stoup. The porch would have provided an area for merchants to hold discussions.

Bell tower

The bell tower was built in 1573 and was one of the highest in Finistère. However, it was hit by lightning in 1809, its spire being destroyed. The date 1609 is carved above the door and on the south wall the date 1622 has been inscribed. The

chevet In architecture, an apse (plural apses; from Latin 'arch, vault' from Ancient Greek 'arch'; sometimes written apsis, plural apsides) is a semicircular recess covered with a hemispherical vault or semi-dome, also known as an ''exedra''. In ...

dates to 1827 and is decorated with lanterons.

Sacristy

This was added to the church in 1679. It served as a meeting place for local manufacturers and the parish's treasury. It has some remarkable carved paneling. File:Lampaul-Guimiliau - Église Notre-Dame - PA00090020 - 162.jpg, View of the sacristy File:Lampaul-Guimiliau - Église Notre-Dame - PA00090020 - 163.jpg, Detail in the sacristy paneling File:Lampaul-Guimiliau - Église Notre-Dame - PA00090020 - 181.jpg, Carving in the sacristy File:Lampaul-Guimiliau - Église Notre-Dame - PA00090020 - 167.jpg, Carving in the sacristy

Rood screen

There is a 16th-century

Rood screen The rood screen (also choir screen, chancel screen, or jubé) is a common feature in late medieval church architecture. It is typically an ornate partition between the chancel and nave, of more or less open tracery constructed of wood, stone, or ...

("Poutre de Gloire") with carvings depicting Christ on the cross with the Virgin Mary and John the Evangelist in attendance and bas-reliefs covering various scenes from the passion carved on the main cross beam; Christ's agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, the flagellation, the crowning with thorns, the " Ecce homo", angels with chalices to collect Jesus' blood, Jesus carrying the cross, Jesus disrobed, the crucifixion and the descent from the cross. On the choir side of the screen are further bas-reliefs depicting the Annunciation and the twelve Sybils announcing the coming of a "saviour". File:Lampaul-Guimiliau- Enclos paroissial - La poutre de gloire - PA00090020 - 001.jpg, One of the bas-reliefs carved on the rood screen beam: Christ in fervent prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane File:Lampaul-Guimiliau- Enclos paroissial - La poutre de gloire - PA00090020 - 009.jpg, One of the bas-reliefs carved on the rood screen beam: Christ is brought down from the cross File:Poutre de Gloire - Lampaul-Guimiliau 2013-07-25 014.jpg, Carving at the end of the rood screen beam File:Poutre de Gloire - Lampaul-Guimiliau 2013-07-25 010.jpg, One of the bas-reliefs carved on the rood screen beam: Jesus carrying the cross File:Poutre de Gloire - Lampaul-Guimiliau 2013-07-25 007.jpg, One of the bas-reliefs carved on the rood screen beam: The crown of thorns is forced down on Jesus' head File:Poutre de Gloire - Lampaul-Guimiliau 2013-07-25 006.jpg, One of the bas-reliefs carved on the rood screen beam: Jesus is flogged

Pulpit

This dates to 1759-1760 and is decorated with images of the four Evangelists and the four "Doctors of the church"; Saints Augustine, Jerome,

Ambrose Ambrose of Milan ( la, Aurelius Ambrosius; ), venerated as Saint Ambrose, ; lmo, Sant Ambroeus . was a theologian and statesman who served as Bishop of Milan from 374 to 397. He expressed himself prominently as a public figure, fiercely promo ...

and Gregory the Great. See

Doctor of the Church Doctor of the Church (Latin: ''doctor'' "teacher"), also referred to as Doctor of the Universal Church (Latin: ''Doctor Ecclesiae Universalis''), is a title given by the Catholic Church to saints recognized as having made a significant contribu ...

. File:Lapaul-Gimiliau esglesia 7138 resize.jpg, The pulpit at Lampaul-Guimiliau with carved panels File:Lampaul-Guimiliau - Église Notre-Dame - PA00090020 - 070.jpg, In the top panel

Matthew the Evangelist Matthew the Apostle,, shortened to ''Matti'' (whence ar, مَتَّى, Mattā), meaning "Gift of YHWH"; arc, , Mattai; grc-koi, Μαθθαῖος, ''Maththaîos'' or , ''Matthaîos''; cop, ⲙⲁⲧⲑⲉⲟⲥ, Mattheos; la, Matthaeus a ...

is accompanied by his attribute, a small angel. In the panel below is Saint Augustine File:Lampaul-Guimiliau - Église Notre-Dame - PA00090020 - 071.jpg, In the top panel

Mark the Evangelist Mark the Evangelist ( la, Marcus; grc-gre, Μᾶρκος, Mârkos; arc, ܡܪܩܘܣ, translit=Marqōs; Ge'ez: ማርቆስ; ), also known as Saint Mark, is the person who is traditionally ascribed to be the author of the Gospel of Mark. Acco ...

is accompanied by his attribute, the lion. In the panel below Saint Jerome is shown, also with a lion. Jerome is often depicted with a lion, in reference to the popular hagiographical belief that he had tamed a lion in the wilderness by healing its paw. File:Lampaul-Guimiliau - Église Notre-Dame - PA00090020 - 072.jpg, In the top panel Luke the Evangelist writes on a tablet. His attribute the ox looks on. In the lower panel we see Saint

with a bee-hive. Saint Ambrose is the patron saint of bees and beekeepers File:Lampaul-Guimiliau - Église Notre-Dame - PA00090020 - 073.jpg, John the Evangelist sits working, his attribute the eagle at his side. In the lower panel is Saint Gregory the Great

Saint Laurent altarpiece

Includes a depiction of Lawrence of Rome in a niche. The saint holds a gridiron reminding us of the nature of his martyrdom.

John the Baptist altarpiece

This altarpiece is to the right of the choir area. In the choir area are two statues. One depicts Saint Peter with his keys and the other Saint Paul.

Saint Anne altarpiece

This was designed by G. Carquain in the 17th century and shows Saint Anne with the Virgin Mary in the centre. On the right of this is a depiction of Saint Joseph, and on the left Saint Joachim. Top left is Saint Barbara, top centre a bishop and top right Saint Marguerite. Along the bottom of the altarpiece, and from left to right, we have a depiction of the "rich", then Saint Yves followed by Saint Hervé and Saint Cadou.

Stoup

The church has a stoup decorated with a demon and a serpent and a depiction of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus. This stoup is located inside the church.

Main altar

Near the main altar there is a lectern in the form of an eagle and 17th century stalls with carvings depicting monsters. File:Lampaul-Guimiliau - Église Notre-Dame - PA00090020 - 199.jpg, Stall carving at the Église Notre-Dame. Lampaul-Guimiliau File:Lampaul-Guimiliau - Église Notre-Dame - PA00090020 - 202.jpg, Stall carving at the Église Notre-Dame. Lampaul-Guimiliau File:Lampaul-Guimiliau - Église Notre-Dame - PA00090020 - 203.jpg, The lectern at Lampaul-Guimiliau

Altarpiece of the High Priest (Saint Mathurin)

See image.

Altarpiece of Saint Marguerite

The saint is threatened by a demonic creature but tramples on it. A symbol of the victory of good over evil.

Altarpiece of the Passion

This altarpiece dates to the 17th century. In the top right hand section there is a depiction of Saint Miliau, the patron saint of Guimiliau, and below a scene showing his martyrdom when he was beheaded by his brother Rivode. The left hand side has an image of the bishop of Léon and below that a depiction of the Virgin Mary's birth. The central section was supplied by an

Antwerp Antwerp (; nl, Antwerpen ; french: Anvers ; es, Amberes) is the largest city in Belgium by area at and the capital of Antwerp Province in the Flemish Region. With a population of 520,504,

workshop and in eight magnificent tableaux, the sculptors have created 80 images representing the story of the passion. At the very bottom the scenes presented are of the Last Supper and Jesus washing the disciples' feet and in the other sections, we see representations of Judas' kiss, the flagellation, Jesus carrying the cross, the descent from the cross, the entombment and the altar of the passion itself. File:Lampaul-Guimiliau - Église Notre-Dame - PA00090020 - 094.jpg, The birth of the Virgin Mary File:Lampaul-Guimiliau - Église Notre-Dame - PA00090020 - 076.jpg, The martyrdom of Saint Miliau File:Enclos du nord Finistère - Lampaul-Guimiliau - 025.JPG, The martyrdom of Saint Miliau File:Lampaul-Guimiliau - Église Notre-Dame - PA00090020 - 096.jpg, Detail from the altarpiece of the "Passion"

Descent from the Cross

This is a remarkable work of art dating to 1520 and carved from a single block of oak. File:Lampaul-Guimilaiu (29) Église Notre-Dame Descente de Croix 03.JPG, The descent from the cross. Église Notre-Dame. Lampaul-Guimilaiu File:Lampaul-Guimilaiu (29) Église Notre-Dame Descente de Croix 09.JPG, The descent from the cross. Église Notre-Dame. Lampaul-Guimilaiu File:Lampaul-Guimilaiu (29) Église Notre-Dame Descente de Croix 08.JPG, The descent from the cross. Église Notre-Dame. Lampaul-Guimilaiu File:Lampaul-Guimilaiu (29) Église Notre-Dame Descente de Croix 14.JPG, The descent from the cross. Église Notre-Dame. Lampaul-Guimilaiu File:Lampaul-Guimilaiu (29) Église Notre-Dame Descente de Croix 10.JPG, The descent from the cross. Église Notre-Dame. Lampaul-Guimilaiu

Processional banners

The church has preserved and has on display, a processional banner depicting Saint Pol and dating to 1634 and another, dating to 1667, depicting the Virgin Mary.

Burial of Jesus

This remarkable sculptural work dates to 1676 and recreates Jesus' followers preparing his body for burial after its removal from the cross. The followers include Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus, Gamaliel, the Virgin Mary, John the Evangelist,

, Mary the mother of James and Mary Salome (disciple). The sculptor was Antoine Chavagnac. Chavagnac was a sculptor to the French Navy in Brest. File:Lampaul-Guimiliau - Église Notre-Dame - PA00090020 - 067.jpg, A skull decorating the tomb prepared for Jesus' burial File:Lampaul-Guimiliau - Église Notre-Dame - PA00090020 - 065.jpg, Nicodemus in the Église Notre-Dame "mise au Tombeau" File:Lampaul-Guimiliau - Église Notre-Dame - PA00090020 - 053.jpg, Joseph of Arimathea in the Église Notre-Dame "mise au Tombeau" File:154T.Lampaul-Guimiliau.Eglise.Tombeau.Tête du Christ.JPG, The head of Jesus in the Église Notre-Dame "mise au Tombeau" File:Lampaul-Guimiliau - Église Notre-Dame - PA00090020 - 059.jpg, John the Evangelist comforts the Virgin Mary in the Église Notre-Dame "mise au Tombeau" File:Lampaul-Guimiliau - Église Notre-Dame - PA00090020 - 058.jpg, Mary Magdalene with her pot of ointment in the Église Notre-Dame "mise au Tombeau"

Baptismal fonts

These are of granite and date to 1651. The octagonal dais is the work of G. Carquain and has carvings of Christ's baptism, the angel who guarded the robe and the 12 apostles. The Baldachin involves some exquisite carving depicting Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist. File:Lampaul-Guimiliau - Église Notre-Dame - PA00090020 - 220.jpg, The Baldachin over the baptismal font File:Enclos du nord Finistère - Lampaul-Guimiliau - 032.JPG, Detail of polychromed carving on Baldachin pillar File:Lampaul-Guimiliau - Église Notre-Dame - PA00090020 - 036.jpg, Detail on Baldachin File:Lampaul-Guimiliau - Église Notre-Dame - PA00090020 - 038.jpg, Detail on Baldachin

References

{{DEFAULTSORT: Churches in Finistère Calvaries in Brittany Parish closes in Brittany Monuments historiques of Finistère