Chapel of Pracourt

Introduction

The chapel, dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, is located at the entrance to Saint-Vincent (coming from Verrès) in the immediate vicinity of the road. The primitive building, the year of construction of which is unknown, was already in ruins and almost abandoned in 1609. In that year, a member of the noble Mistralis family decided to have the oratory demolished to build a chapel for the celebration of mass and other functions. The Mistralis were the most important family in the village, in fact their heraldry, consisting of three half moons, was used as the background for the municipal coat of arms. 

Description

The rebuilt church soon became the destination of processions attended by the most influential inhabitants of the village. However, certain customs, such as going to the chapel on the third Sunday after Easter, were already rooted in the days of the old building. Other processions take place on Maundy Thursday, the last Sunday in May and 16 July, the patron saint's day. In the 18th century, the building was again in very poor condition, so in 1747, thanks to a substantial donation from a noblewoman of the Passerin d'Entrèves family (who had married a descendant of the Mistralis), it was again restored. In addition to the restoration, furnishings for the services were also donated to the church. At the end of the 19th century, the church underwent further work, in particular the roof was redone.

Architectural description

The chapel, with an octagonal plan, is covered by a slate roof on which a remarkable bell tower with a distinctive architectural shape stands out. The bell was donated by a believer in 1911.
 Inside, above the altar, there is a fresco depicting Our Lady of Carmine (Notre Dame du Carme) with the souls of Purgatory at her feet. On either side are two other frescoes showing the Resurrection and Agony of Jesus. These paintings are ancient and existed as early as 1786.
 Externally, a flight of steps (renovated in 1994) leads to the wooden entrance door, surmounted by a painted cross. The door and the two windows are bordered by a stone frame that particularly stands out against the yellow-painted façade.
 In 1991, a stone cross from the Mission dating from 1933 was placed at the base of the entrance steps. The cross, about two metres high, was previously located on private land, but was later removed to make way for a new building. In the plinth, one can see a carved soapstone bearing the inscription 'Pax 1933'.