When Notre Dame de Roscudon was built, PONT-CROIX was only a dependence of the parish of Beuzec-Cap-Sizun; hence the term "treviale" or "dependant" by which the church was known.

It was also, however, a collegiate, which presupposes a permanent college of priests or chaplains who carried out holy offices under the auspices of the lord of the domain with the aid of eclesiastical revenues necessary for the maintenance of the college.

Built in the middle of the thirteenth century, in about 1240 - 1250, the original church was roman in style, but late roman, being very elegant and airy and as such representing more of a transition towards gothic architecture, which was already fairly wide-spread at the time.

A drawing by Stanislas Godec, a Pont-Croix painter and sculpter who has created magnificent pieces of sculpture, allows us to imagine the fundamental simplicity of this church at the time of its construction.

It consisted of the current nave with its eight cross-sections and its plain aisles, a transept with somewhat excessive branches, and a choir of four cross-sections with double aisles ending in a straight chevet wall. The chief alter is to the east.

The original church did not have a spire but a solid, simple, austere lantern-tower on top of a plain roof.

In about 1290, Sinquin de PONT-CROIX, founder of the church, modified the upper section of the west pinion, enlarged the choir with two additional cross-sections and, on the south side side of the choir, constructed a huge square chapel known today as the Chapel of the Rosary. The building of the Chapel involved the dismantling of the second, south-facing aisle of the choir. The pillars that were removed might have been used to build the addditional cross-sections above the choir

In 1391, Jean the First of Rosmadec, married Alix of Tyvarlan, heiress of the lords of PONT-CROIX. It is highly likely, in view of the marriage, that he had the superb porch built on the southern side of the nave; a dazzling gothic masterpiece.

Jean the First of Rosmadec was the half-brother of Bertrand de Rosmadec, archbishop of Quimper. This connection explains why, when in about 1440 - 1450 his grandson Jean the Second of Rosmadec decided to erect a spire at the base of the original square tower, he was able to study and use the plans for the spires of the cathedral at Quimper.

Jean the Second of Rosmadec also had the baptismal chapel built and modified the chapel situated to the east of the southern arm.

The south porch in the transept also dates from the fifteenth century.

Between 1528 and 1544, Alain the Second of Rosmadec lengthened the choir by means of an additional cross-section and transformed the straight chevet into a polygon (known as multiple knotting) thus allowing more light on the alter and above the choir. Likewise, he had the windows in the south chapel remodelled.

In the eighteenth century, the western facade was refashioned and the sacristy was built backing on to the Chapel of the Rosary.

Our Lady of Roscudon had such a major influence on church architecture in Cornouaille that some writers have argued the existence of a PONT-CROIX school.

Amongst those monuments that exist, the following are to be noted: Notre Dame de Kerinec in Poullan, Languidou, Beuxec-Cap-Sizun and Notre Dame de Chateaulin.

The name of the chief architect of PONT-CROIX remains unknown but it is worth bearing in mind that on the capital of a pillar amongst the ruins of Languidou, a chapel of the same provenance constructed in about 1275, an inscription in gothic letters indicates the name of the master: Auffray Le Guiriec. Even if he is not the architect of Notre Dame de Rroscudon, it is certain that he must have collaborated in the building of this monument.

Large-scale works on the Collegiate of Notre Dame de Roscudon were begun, which meant that the building was closed to public viewing for two years.

Following the erection of scaffolding and the encasing of the property for its protection, half of the church was transformed into a forest of poles.....

Landings and ladders permitted access to the underpart of the vault; 10 metres from the ground.

Carpenters from the ART (Amoricaine Restoration Works) began to remove the planking to reveal the naked wood in a surprisingly extensive state of deterioration, having been patched up this way and that over the centuries; the quality of the carving was, nevertheless, astonishing. Each beam is set off by a small, upward-looking figure, but at a height that makes it difficult to see them from below. The carpenters remove each piece with care, noting every detail, despite the bad condition of the wood, so that the woodwork could be faithfully refashioned. A detailed examination of the skeleton guides the restoration work.

The first stages of the work are carried out in the collegiate, the original twelfth century choir, the thirteenth century extension and the sixteenth century chevet. Work on the nave will be undertaken in a second phase, until which time, materials are stored there.

Hidden Treasures in the Collegiate:

It is certain that the Rosmadec coat of arms was carved on a principal beam at the time of the Revolution. All that remains are lions supporting an empty escutcheon. Each part of the building is decorated with animals and plants, and with a few heads of men and women.

The original parts, much worm-eaten, will be replaced with new wood which will be inlaid with carvings. It will take a full month to do this.

An exhibition of photos illustrating the restoration work and "the hidden treasure of the Collegiate" can be seen at the Tourist Office. Andre Plantec took the photos and Frederic Tanter provided the accompanying text.

The Grand Pardon, on August 15, attracts a huge crowd of pilgrims from all over. At about 9 pm, a flame-lit procession starts at "La Fontaine de La Vierge" (The Fountain of the Virgin Mary) and continues up through the streets to the Collegiate, where mass is said. This is an opportunity for many of those who were born and who have lived at Pont-Croix to meet again: indeed, the younger generation who have left their commune, return on August 15 which is, for us, a very special date.

The Fountain of the Virgin Mary, much venerated and dating back to time immemorial, lies in a shady valley to the north-east of the town. It is reached via the Rue de la Metairie or via the Rue de la Fontaine.

Known before the seventeenth century as the "Fontaiane de Nostre-Dame" or "Feunten an itron Maria", it was demolished in 1792 and the materials were sold to offset, in part, the building of the Fontaine de la Croix(known as The Good Fountain: La Bonne Fontaine. In 1857, a pious local lady, Anne-Marie LIRIN, was granted the right by M.HIGNARD, the mayor, to collect funds with which to restore the Fountain of the Virgin Mary. It was inaugurated the following year. The "pardon" of the Fountain takes place on September 8 but more important is the flame-lit procession of August 15. Breton and French canticles have been dedicated to this fountain of Roscudon, notably those written by the abbot and by Doctor Savina.

Pont-Croix capital of Cap Sizn - The church - History