Saint Hernin Parish close
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The Saint Hernin Parish close (Enclos paroissial) is located at Saint-Hernin in the Châteaulin arrondissement within Brittany in north-western France. The parish church was completed in 1682 and the enclos paroissial comprises the church, an ossuary and calvary. The south porch dates to 1632. Statuary in the church includes Saint Hernin, to whom the church is dedicated, Saint Corentin, Saint Michael, Saint Guénolé, Saint Catherine, John the Baptist, a pietà and Saint Peter.[1][2] It is a listed historical monument since 1972.[3]
The enclos paroissial calvary is 6 metres high and was erected in around 1530. It is thought to have been executed by the workshop who carved the calvary at Brasparts. The base incorporates an altar suggesting that the calvary was at one time used for open air services. The pedestal placed on this base is rectangular and from it emerge the crucifixion cross and two tau shaped gibbets, and at the base of these there is a 'Vierge de Pitié" or pietà carved from kersanton stone featuring the Virgin Mary supporting Jesus' body assisted by Mary Magdalene and John the Evangelist. On the central shaft bearing the crucifixion cross there is a relief carving of Saint Michael slaying the dragon and at the top of the shaft is an arrangement including depictions of three marmousets (small grotesque carvings) who support statues of the Virgin Mary (on the right) and John the Evangelist (on the left). Both these statues are in ronde bosse. The figure of Jesus is carved from granite and is in high relief whereas the good and bad robbers on the two side gibbets, their bodies contorted, were carved from kersanton stone.[4][5][6][7]
The ossuary
The ossuary dates to 1697 and was restored in 1965. It became the Saint Anne chapel once the use of ossuaries ceased. Decoration includes Saint Anne reading to the Virgin Mary.
