Work in this Lot church, closed for years, should be completed in 24 months

Friends of thechurch of Saint-Anthethas Castelnau-Montratier in the Batchmet again on Saturday 1^er June 2024 for a participatory construction site. In overalls, but rather whitened by the dust of the stone, the team of volunteers took a well-deserved break to discuss their involvement in the restoration of this heritage.

Frédéric Rigal, president of the association surrounded by a dozen volunteers, all affirmed their attachment to preserve these old stones.

Two more years of work to renovate the Saint-Anthet church

But for many it is also a primarily friendly association where we meet and exchange with each other on local history and many other subjects. Coming from different backgrounds, everyone’s multiple skills are also very useful on such projects. And this small, well-knit core is full of optimism.

“There we see the end of the tunnel. Another 2 years of work and everything will be finished,” says Frédéric Rigal with a big smile.

It’s not easy to get involved in this kind of project. Because it is necessary at all times, at each stage of the restoration, to mobilize, inform, argue and seek funding, the sinews of war.

Upcoming work

Now that the vault is deplastred, the association will take advantage of the impressive scaffolding installation to sand, then do the bleeding to bring in the electricity and finally repoint the walls. After all these efforts, the inhabitants of the hamlet, and of the canton of Castelnau-Montratier, will be able to admire this pretty little church of Romanesque origin and apparently rebuilt in the 16th century.^e century.

In more than 26 years, the church of Saint-Anthet has regained beautiful colors. More than €125,000 was invested to redo the front and rear buttresses, redo the base of the bell which threatened to fall, the roof as well as various security works. It should be emphasized that pugnacity and patience are the key words for the association.

Except for the structural work, the work which requires professional and specific skills, the team of volunteers carries out other tasks which are the subject of participatory projects at a rate of 5 to 6 per year. As a reminder, The Friends of Saint-Anthet invest either through their own funds, grants or donations.

Unusual

In the tracery of the scaffolding, we can distinguish a grotesque profile, some motifs and small figures sculpted in the columns which support the vault. These ornamental elements are rather rare. (Source: tourist office).

Like every year, the association organizes a meal on the last Sunday in August. Sunday August 25, 2024 will therefore take place a country meal. Donations are used to help finance the restoration work.

Marie-Françoise PLAGÈS

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