Chabrat’s Michelangelo masterpiece

In the sleepy village of Sous Parsat, Creuze, in France you could easily drive past this little church without really noticing it.

However, if you step inside you will be overwhelmed, moved and no doubt feel a mixture of emotions.

You wonder if the church is sacred or if this is blasphemous. Look closer, think about the biblical story; the stories of suffering, wars, famines …

and the bitter-sweet triumph of the crucifixion and the Pieta.

The light streams in through the stained glass windows casting prismatic reflections everywhere,

illuminating the murals which are on a background of electric blue. The stonework surrounding windows and arches are left natural.

This work of art was created entirely by Gabriel Chabrat in the 1980’s. Here are two journeys – Flight from Egypt and Exodus. Feel Mary’s love for her baby and Joseph’s weariness.

And finally (although the story in this little church has much more to offer), enjoy the almost medieaval yet modern style of The Last Supper. There is the warmth and cosiness of a meal shared and yet – look at the expressions on the disciples faces – anxiety, horror, suspicion, worry, unhappiness. Only Jesus has serenity.

I think that no matter what your walk in life is, or your beliefs,. you cannot be unaffected by this powerful evocation of hundreds of years of history.

(This was extremely difficult to photograph because of the dim church and the light from the windows. You can see how the light kept ‘wiping out’ the murals. What you see here is only a mere glimpse of this amazing little church.)