A building altered by time
The Notre-Dame de l’Assomption church is a religious monument of importance in the history and current life of the village. A place of worship for the Maritais, but also a place of visit for tourists who love history and heritage, this building has been altered over time by offshore winds loaded with salt and sand, and in particular its bell tower and its stained glass windows. A diagnosis carried out in 2018 also made it possible to note the presence of humidity in the walls, in particular due to a defect in the management of rainwater and the previous use of unsuitable materials, such as cement. Following this diagnosis, major renovation work was decided, starting in 2023, and which will last until 2025. A first phase of work is being finalized, and the bell tower has already regained its original appearance. stunning. “The renovation of the church is an event that is close to my heart », agrees Gisèle Vergnon, mayor of the town: “ This is part of a strong desire to preserve Maritais heritage, from the smallest to the largest. “. The renovation of the monument is planned identically, except for one detail: the League for the Protection of Birds asked if a barn owl nest box could be attached to the bell tower. It is being installed!
Call for the generosity of the Rais
We were able to meet the architect in charge of the restoration of the church, Stéphane Berhault, as well as the two stonemasons working on the site, Bruno and Loïc, during a morning dedicated to the official launch of a campaign of donations dedicated to financing the work, estimated at €1,169,474. Because if we could have listened to them for hours talking to us about their passion for the restoration of French heritage, the reality of the cost of this work remains very present in the minds of all the Maritais present that day. This is why the Municipality of Sainte-Marie joined forces with the Heritage Foundation to find the donations necessary to finance this work, also in partnership with the Friends of the Church association. The Heritage Foundation is a private organization of general interest, which contributes to the restoration of French heritage, and has notably helped to finance more than thirty-five thousand sites since its creation twenty-five years ago. All Maritais and friends of the village are asked to help finance the restoration of the church, and every donation counts. In addition to this donation campaign, several events will be organized in the coming months around the renovation of the church, and in particular a lottery, on August 13, at the Salle des Paradis.
How to make a donation ?
Donation slips will be inserted in the next municipal magazine of the commune of Sainte-Marie. You can also send your donation by check to the association of Friends of the Church (16 rue de la République – 17740 Sainte-Marie de Ré – amisde [email protected]) or make your donation on the website of the Fondation du Heritage: www. foundation-patrimoine.org/31984. This is deductible up to 75% from income tax, and also from real estate wealth tax, or even corporate tax.
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