Creuse: a call for donations with the Heritage Foundation to restore the bell tower of the Lépaud church

In 2021, a huge crane was installed at the foot of the Saint-Nicolas church in Lépaud (East of Creuse) to remove the metal cross of more than 4 meters which sat at the top of the bell tower. The sculpture began to lean dangerously and threatened to fall. The fault is water infiltration at its base which over time “had led to rotting of the centerpiece on this frame, namely the punchexplains the mayor of Lépaud, Pierre Morlon. It was therefore necessary to put down this cross for safety.“.

At the same time, the parts eaten away by water were removed and the top of the bell tower was found truncated. The church was now out of water but a little disfigured! And to restore its original appearance, the bill is steep: more than 52,000 euros. “We must restore the cross, but also redo supports to be able to anchor it again on the bell tower, raise this bell tower to its tip, the architect of Bâtiments de France asks us to rest the cross as it was originally. that is to say with two spheres, we are going to add a rooster since at one time there was one, and we also have to take back part of the bell tower: some slates have moved, we have to redo the edges in zinc and knock them down -sounds, these small chestnut strips which reduce the sounds when the bells ring” explains the mayor.

The project is 60% financed by subsidies (in particular from the Departmental Council) but 40% remains to be borne by the municipality, that is to say more than 21,000 euros. Too heavy to bear for a town of 372 inhabitants, especially since it has already put its hand in its pocket to carry out numerous works, all the stained glass windows have for example been restored.

To be able to find its pointed bell tower and its cross (which for three years has been on the premises of a Limogeaude company), the town of Lépaud therefore called on the Heritage Foundation to launch an appeal for donations, open to all. Of the tax-exempt donations, which can be paid from April 27 by connecting to the Heritage Foundation website.