Pencran parish enclosure

Please note: the church is currently undergoing renovation and will be closed for at least 2 years.

Overlooking the Elorn valley, Pencran's parish enclosure is a model of its kind. Formerly part of the larger parish of Ploudiry, its church is known from 1363, but was rebuilt in the 16th century in Gothic style "in honor of God, the Virgin and Saint Apolline".
Entering the enclosure, the first thing to catch the eye is the south porch, in kersanton, remarkable for its design and decoration. An introduction to the Renaissance style, the finely sculpted voussoirs abound with angels, musicians, foliage and scenes from Genesis. It also houses the 12 apostles in their flamboyant canopied niche.

The bell tower, built in the 14th century, houses one of Finistère's oldest bells, called "la Marie", cast in 1365.
Inside, the masterpiece of Gothic furnishings is undoubtedly the Flemish-influenced polychrome wooden Descent from the Cross (1517). There is no altarpiece here, but numerous well-preserved polychrome statues, and fanciful sablières where human faces are combined with those of animals, all framed by plant decor. The stained glass windows are much more recent (20th century).
In this Gothic context, the Renaissance style flourishes in the ossuary (1594), on which is inscribed its purpose: "...charnel house to collect the bones of the people." Now a private vault, who can imagine that it was also used as a tobacconist's, a school and even the town hall!
A final look at the calvaries, in particular the one to the north, erected in 1521, where 3 crosses rise above the monumental entrance, with Mary Magdalene kneeling at its foot. This model of calvary, highly original for its time, was to set the standard throughout the region, as it allowed for a multiplicity of figures. A cast of this calvary can be seen in the Musée des Monuments Français in Paris.

Guided tour of the parish enclosure with the APEVE association (booking required).