The little church in the village of Saint-Senoch has quite a big history...it was originally the site of a priory built on ground given to the abbey of Fontevraud by our old friend Foulques Nerra - it was rough ground and a condition of the gift was that it should be cleared first prior to any building. At the beginning of the 13th century a group of nuns were installed in the priory and it attracted others to settle their homes around it - thus the village of Barbeneuve was born. Although the priory had its chapel dedicated to Saint Catherine it remained exclusive to the priory, with the people of the village and surrounding area having to make their way along rough tracks to the 13th century church (now a private house-see pic below) in what was then, the small nearby hamlet of Saint -Senoch.

The church of Saint-Senoch suffered damage during the wars of religion and although some repairs were made the locals began to demand the use of the chapel within the priory and although there was initial resistance, permission was soon granted with even the local parish priest claiming rights to hold services there. The controversy as to its use continued however until the 17th century when it was agreed that the parishioners could choose which of the two religious buildings they could use. Damage to the Saint-Senoch church during the revolution meant that it soon become difficult to maintain, so much so that the new commune of Saint-Senoch-Barbeneuve was formed with the priory chapel as its parish church.

The little chapel was soon extended by the addition of a nave and side chapels one of which is dedicated to Saint-Senoch, the other to the Virgin Mary.

The stained glass windows are by master glassmakers from Toulouse, one of which is of course dedicated to Saint-Senoch.

The church contains a 'relic' of the saint (piece of knee bone no less!) in a little alcove in his dedicated side chapel.

Where's Joan...she's here

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