Cantal: they fight to save their village church

The church Our Lady of the Assumptionjewel of Romanesque heritage in Haute-Auvergne, is in danger. Land subsidence, stained glass windows damaged, omnipresent humidity and funeral liter to preserve. Faced with these threats, the Heritage Foundationsupported by the historian Claude Grimmer-Fontange and the association of the church of Jou (ADEJ), launched an appeal for donations.

A heritage in danger

Classified among the most beautiful Romanesque churches in Haute-Auvergne, Notre-Dame de l’Assomption is dear to Claude Grimmer-Fontange, historian and local, as well as to Eliane Capel, president of the association of saving the church. “It’s a very visited church. Sculptures and modillions are in exceptional condition, but it is suffering from time, our duty is to save it.

A territorial project

The Heritage Foundation has recently noticed the church, allowing it to benefit from tax-deductible donations up to 75%. A breath of fresh air for Eliane Capel, president of the ADEJ (Association of the Church of Jou) who for 20 years fights for it: “During an All Saints Mass in 2004, I saw the municipality put buckets in the middle of the church. When we left, we all said to ourselves that we had to do something for this place.” Strong in 50 membersthe association targets 150 members to show the scale of the local support.

Historical and academic support

Claude Grimmer-Fontange has recently been godmother of ADEJ. This renowned historian works in collaboration with the DRAC and pleaded the cause of the church on May 3, 2024. “For 3 years, I was fighting for her. But without a complete study of the work, the file did not pass. In October 2023, the Heritage Foundation announced to us that we would receive the 1st prize from Mission Bernnational competition, with a endowment of €100,000. The adventure can begin! » .

Tax benefits and sponsorship

Since the fire of Notre Dame de Parisa law allows tax donations up to 75%.

“If you give €1,000, it really costs you €250. This tax lever is essential to attract donors,” explains Claude Grimmer-Fontange, who also counts on sponsorship. The DRAC could finance 40% of the work.

Local mobilization

To contribute to the saving the churchdo a Google search on Jou-sous-Monjou “I’m the one who redid the village’s Wikipedia page, I integrated a menu” Local culture and heritage » with a link that will take you directly to the Heritage Foundation and the call for donations. The association hopes to reach the €100,000 in donations in 3 yearsthanks also to the generosity of “ People of the country that I know very attached to their heritage.

A long-term commitment

Claude Grimmer-Fontange prepare a book on Carladès, to be published in 2026 by Fayard. “I worked a lot on the bastards of the valley and I will also give a conference on their role little known, in Jou.

For her part, Eliane Capel is the creator of artisanal nativity scenes. It organizes Christmas markets every year and plans a exhibition on Romanesque art for 2024. In October, Claude Grimmer-Fontange will start a conference series on local history, in the multipurpose room “where it will be about the bastards of the valley, a very interesting and separate status very useful at the time.”

Finally, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the association in 2024an exhibition on heritage professions will be organized during heritage dayswith a special day for kids in partnership with the Vic-sur-Cère college.

Make a donation: www.wikipedia, heritage menu, link to follow. Contact: ADEJ, Town Hall 15800 Jou-sous-Monjou.

Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon -.