The origins of the church make us go back to the end of the 11th century. Its nave and facade are a testimony to prove its old age. The choir and the first bell tower were built at the end of the 11th century and the beginning of the 12th century. It is important to note that the Roman church was completely redesigned during the 15th century while keeping its own style.

Its originality is that this church has two bell towers from two different centuries. The first one is a belfry from the original church, and the second bell tower is two-sloped and was added during the 13th century. It is something very rare for rural churches. The porch is covered with a special gable “pignon à peigne” that is extremely rare in Ile-de-France and the only one in Essonne.

Several tombstones can be seen inside the church, especially one dating back from the Middle Age and one from 1633. On this one, two persons are finely sculpted with a text about their lives, they probably were a couple of lords of Gironville. This tombstone, the red marble baptismal font from the 18th century and several statues were classified as part of the Monuments Historiques. Also, some magnificent stained-glass windows made by the workshop Gesta de Toulouse from 1886 can be seen too.

This church is dedicated to the apostle Saint-Pierre (Saint Peter). Following the tradition, he was the first bishop of Rome. He was also known under the name of Simon Kephas, name that Jesus gave to him, and was faithful to Christ until his death. He was crucified and died as a martyr in Roma under the reign of Neron. He was supposed to have been buried on the mount Vatican where was located the circus vaticanus. Later, at this place, Saint Peter’s Basilica was built. During the 50s, some archeological digs under the crypt helped us to discover some bones that are supposed to belong to Saint Peter. He is the patron saint for sailors, fishermen, locksmiths and masons.

SOURCE: Mairie de Gironville-sur-Essonne, “Le Patrimoine Religieux de Milly-la-Forêt et de la Communauté de Communes des 2 Vallées” des Amis de Milly-en-Gâtinais et Environs, Parc Naturel Régional du Gâtinais Français