It will take more than 1 million euros to restore the church in the village of Lachapelle-sous-Gerberoy. The diagnostic study will be presented on November 6 at the Songeons cultural center.
Bruno Ronseaux has a lot of hope in the November 6 meeting.
That day, at 5 p.m., he will reveal the results of a study on the deconsecrated church. A church listed in the Supplementary Inventory of Historic Monuments.
The church, an exceptional heritage
In addition to the population, the mayor hopes for the presence of elected officials, representatives of local authorities and the Hauts-de-France Regional Directorate.
The study in question, subsidized 40% by the departmental council, was entrusted to the Nasca architectural agency and the RD workshops.
“It constitutes the initial stage of an ambitious municipal project to safeguard, restore and promote this exceptional heritage, today desecrated… and in danger” summarizes Bruno Ronseaux.
” As a reminder » continues the mayor “6 superimposed decorative campaigns, carried out between the 12th and 20th centuries, could thus be identified at the end of this exhaustive investigative work.
First observation: the church can be compared to a real “ small local religious Lascaux. »
A cost which gives
dizziness
These discoveries can be compared to the polychromies of the Saint-Rémi de Ponchon church.
In addition, the study confirms the links between the village and Gerberoy. “ The construction of the Notre-Dame church in Lachapelle-sous-Gerberoy is inseparable from the local struggles which opposed William the Conqueror to his son Robert Courteheuse in the 11th century.
But to preserve this truly exceptional heritage, the bill promises to be steep: around €1.2 million. Enough to make the municipality dizzy, unable to finance such a project. The mayor is faced with a difficult equation to solve: restore the church, without jeopardizing the budget. Because even if the municipality obtained up to 80% of aid, it would have to pay the remaining 20% up front to receive the remaining 80%.
A restrictive system which immediately discourages certain municipalities.
Likewise, if the study is 40% financed by the Department, the Drac will finance another part, only if work is indeed underway.
The mayor is therefore struggling to convince communities and the State to step up to the plate.
The preservation of the building and its magnificent frescoes is at stake.
“Help, let the money fall from the sky!” » implores between humor and anxiety Bruno Ronseaux.
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