The first church was built in Faty as early as the 12th century, after Homblières Abbey bequeathed the market town of Wiège to the Chapter of Guise. Saint-Martin was then fortified in 1676, as can be seen from the date in the bricks on the church tower.

The few signs of fortification can also be seen on the tower: two corbels above the portal, which probably supported a missing machicolation, and the wide buttress at the south-west corner of the tower. However, it is unclear what it was actually used for: was it the first element of a larger planned and then abandoned fortification project, or was the tower simply in danger of collapsing?

Next to the main portal, a plaque commemorates Jean-Jacques Sainsot, who financed the renovation of the bell tower, and André Jouhanneau, who was responsible for carrying out the renovation work on the church in the 20th century.

Even if Saint-Martin in Faty seems rather unspectacular overall, it is a very pretty church, especially in the sunny weather we had, which really makes the white of the limestone shine.

Unfortunately, it was locked when we visited on Sunday, but it is possible to borrow the key there on Thursday mornings during the opening hours of the Mairie.