Saint-Martial was the center of an archiprêtré who was transferred at Sumène in the end of the XVIIth century.
The first time we have a historical mention of the church is in 1156. But the actual nave is dated from the XIth or XIIth century. The arched recess and the great three groined vault transept (bays and the 2 chapels) appears more tardively.
Build on a rocky spur, the building was fortified during the Hundred Years War, the bell-tower, is a military work and dating of this time.
During the centuries, the church sustained throughout the time, several changes : construction of the gallery at 17 th century, enhancement in the 18 th, recently the chruch was cleared of surface soil and the stone striped bare.
The special feature of this roman church is that it is built with the stone of the country : the schist, which is specially difficult to work because of his friability. Because of the bearness and the stone which was used this church is of a beautiful style.

Today, Saint-Martial, between chestnut forest and terraced onions fields, is a small township unusual and picturesque landlocked in the Rieutord's valley, carcterised by a strong catholic identity in the huguenot cévenne's land.
St.Martial is nowdays known for the terraced sweet onions fields, now labelised "Oignons Doux des Cévennes", cultivated here as well as in whole Valley of the Rieutord; for his textile craft via a fabric working cashmere wool.

St. Martial is a protected site, and in a process of being classified 'village de caractère'.