Oyré - Saint-Sulpice

In a papal bull issued by Pope Alexander III in 1163 this small church is mentioned as part of the priory "Saint-Denis" in Vaux (sur Vienne), about 10 kms west).

The church, dedicated to Sulpice le Pieux, was erected end of the 11th century in a primitive Romanesque style, not at all influenced by the more elegant "style saintonge".

Along the western facade runs a gallery, what is rather unique. It is lined with stone benches and probably was the meeting place for the villagers over centuries. The church got remodeled during the 17th century, when it got enlarged and a chapel was added. During the French Revolution the church got damaged. The crumbling apse got demolished and rebuilt during a disputed restauration end of the 19th century.

The church is small, but has about 20 carved capitals. Most of them have a strange, primitive style.

This is the same capital as seen on the previous upload, - now seen from the left. The large bearded head with small horns on the corner - and the skin of a lion to the right. Or is this a supine cat - purring?