The Canons Regular of Prémontré founded the Lahonce and Urdax abbeys at the beginning of the 13th century, followed by the priories of Ispoure and La Madeleine de la Recluse. The current “Priorenia” house, opposite the church, is in fact the former priory.
The first mention of the church dates back to March 1328. It subsequently became the chapel of the lords of Irumberry. The priory, the annex of the church of Ispoure from 1568 and connected to the pilgrims’ Way of St James, comprised a hospital. In 1828, the parish of La Madeleine merged with that of Saint Jean le Vieux.
In architectural terms, this 14th century edifice initially featured a bell gable. In the 19th century it was converted into a bell tower preceded by a porch. Inside, the decoration (galleries, altarpiece) probably dates from the second half of the 18th century or even the beginning of the 19th century.
Also worthy of note are:
– a door (now walled up) in the north façade, reserved for the numerous cagots (persons excluded from society) in the parish
– 18th century tombstones and the very old baptismal fonts in the choir
– in the square near the church, a wayside cross (one hardly discernible face representing Christ, the other the Virgin Mary)