Originally a simple chapel of the medieval castle of Crécy, mentioned as early as 1215 and belonging to the abbey of Saint-Père de Chartres, the church of Saint-Éloi-Saint-Jean-Baptiste still bears the memory of its first centuries. Rebuilt between the end of the 15th and the beginning of the 16th century, it preserves two sticks of confraternities appearing Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist, witnesses to the local religious vitality. It is 50 metres long and is harmoniously placed in the landscape when it arrives through the domain of Crécy, recalling its ancient connection to the castle.
In 1746, Louis XV acquired the estate to offer it to the Marquise of Pompadour. As early as 1750, Crécy-Couvé launched an extensive development campaign: the purchase of numerous fiefs in the Blaise valley, the construction of the Saint John hospital, and the construction of a court bail. The church was also redesigned in the 18th century, in a series of transformations designed to receive the king and his successor in dignity.
Inside, the church reveals all its richness: the classified high altar, with retable, tabernacle and stepin, forms an exceptional ensemble; three paintings of the eighteenth century — The worship of shepherds, Saint John the Baptist and Saint Eloi de Noyon — strengthen its artistic identity; a confessional of the same century completes this heritage. The oak frame and the bronze vault create a warm atmosphere.
Located in the parish of Saint-Étienne in Drouais, the church remains a living place of worship. Despite an important restoration following the collapse of the bell tower, it remains open every Sunday from 9am to 5pm for prayer and visits.
