Saint-Thégonnec Parish close

The Saint-Thégonnec Parish close (Enclos paroissial) is located at Saint-Thégonnec (Sant Tegoneg in Breton) in the arrondissement of Morlaix in Brittany in north-western France. The enclos paroissial comprises the parish church of Notre-Dame, a triumphal arch and enclosure wall, an ossuary and the famous calvary (Calvary at Saint-Thégonnec). It is a listed historical monument. There is a second calvary set into the enclosure wall and the war memorial dedicated to those lost in the 1914-1918 war is also set into another section of the wall.

On 8 June 1998, a fire destroyed a part of the north aisle and an extensive programme of restoration was finished in 2005. The Gothic bell-tower and Renaissance tower dates from 1563 and was finished in 1626. The porch has a sculpture depicting Saint Thégonnec in the attire of a bishop and inside the porch, statues of some of the apostles lead towards the door into the church. The church has a rood screen and in the choir area the stained glass is by Jean-Louis Nicolas and dates to 1862-1863.

The western Beaumanoir type bell-tower porch dates to 1563 and the monumental entrance was completed in 1587. Between 1589 and 1610 the bell-tower was improved and crowned with lanterons in 1626. The church bells are dated 1599 and 1605 and a sun-dial dates to 1606. Between 1640 and 1652 the north aisle was built by Paul Prédiry and Mathurin Renault, master masons, and the fenestration came from the workshop of Jean Le Bescont and were transported from Landerneau to Saint-Thégonnec and erected in 1651. The south aisle was reconstructed from 1653 to 1658 by Yves Le Bescont. The church was enlarged between 1667 and 1669, the apse being moved by several feet, this work being executed by Guillaume Plédran and in 1670 the western part of the nave was raised to accommodate the installation of the organ. From 1686 to 1690, the architect Guillaume Le Taoc rebuilt the sacristy to the north of the choir. Between 1713 and 1714 further modifications were carried out under the direction of the Brest architect, Etienne Le Marchand.

Made from granite quarried from Plounéour-Ménez, this elaborate Renaissance style entrance to the enclos paroissial is attributed to the masons of the nearby Château de Kerjean's workshop. Four massive pillars, topped with cubic lanterons, form three entrances, with the central section forming an arch. Statues of the Archangel Gabriel and the Virgin Mary seated at a prie-dieu, depict the Annunciation and decorate the structure which has four niches decorated with carvings of shells these separated by pilasters and dominated by two canons. There is also a sculpture depicting Saint Thégonnec riding an ass. A sculpture depicting the Holy Father is contained in a triangular topped niche at the top of the central arch. The two side entrances have stiles to stop animals accessing the enclos and the central arch has iron gates.

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