The Saint-Saturnin's church in Rocles

At the end of IIIème century, according to M.Bougerolle teacher in Rocles, Saint-Saturnin (or Saint-Sornin) introduced the Christian religion into this area. The common neighbor bears besides her name (Saint-Sornin) and the church of Rocles is devoted to him (under its other name: Saint-Saturnin). This saint came from Toulouse where one finds the Saint-Sernin church. Two other preachers had also furrowed the region. II acted of Saint-Ourse or Saint-Ursin, come from Bourges and Saint - arrived Austremoine of Clermont.

It is towards 1150 that the church was built; but this first building of Romance style, there remains only the apse in hemicycle (flanked in the North of a very small absidiole in the same way traced), and the wall of frontage. These two parts are joined together by a nave entirely rebuilt in XVème century, in Gothic style, and which comprises four spans.

The parish of Rocles belonged formerly to the diocese of Bourges. The Saint-Saturnin church depended then on the monastery of Montet. It is a Gothic monument of style, except for chorus, of the northern absidiole and the western gate. It comprises a principal nave of 3 spans, flanked in the south of a side of 4 spans.

The most remarkable elements of architecture are the bell-tower, sitting on the right span of the apse, with an overcome quadrangular Romance base of a Gothic stone arrow of octagonal plan, and especially the western gate: of Burgundian Romance style, it is surrounded by an archivolt in semicircular arch with the curves furnished with checkerworks, oves of palmettes and billets, and that receive from each with dimensions, three posts in offence with capitals of interlacing.

The tympanum, supported by two installed posts drawn up against the oven walls, is cut out in festoons.   

Inside, the absidiole northern preserve the statue on wood of the Virgin. Sat like the virgins with the child of the Romance time, it however belongs to the style and at the time Gothic.

It was found by “chance” between the two wars in the roofs of the church where it had been hidden during the revolution. High of 78cm, it holds in its right hand a floret. It is a statue of transition.

One finds also a large stoup of stone, in the shape of capital (second half of XIIème century) decorated with rinceaux plants.

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