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A beautiful evening for the benefit of the association “Les Amis de la Chapelle de Saint-Maclou”

July 6, 2023 at the church Saint-Étienne du Mesnil-Mauger

On behalf of the association “Les Amis de La Chapelle de Saint-Maclou”, our chapel of Saint-Maclou being too small, this is with the kind authorization of the Notre Dame de Vie Parish, without forgetting Father Eustache who was our good emissary,
whom we welcomed to the church Saint-Étienne du Mesnil-Mauger for an exceptional musical moment Gérard Goupil and his friends.
These gentlemen, musicians of great talent : Gérard Goupil, Jean-Yves Cousin, Michel Lemerre, Roger’s Lesouef, Michel Marie,
Daniel Picot (on trumpet ) and Alain Bouvet (on the organ), entertained us and won over a large audience who came to listen to them.
During 1:30, we were treated, among others, to works by Bach, Charpentier, Couperin, Verdi and Purcell…
We thank very much Gérard, Jean-Yves , Roger’s, Michel (the 2) , Daniel and Alain for delighting us,
we thank also the public who responded.

On the trumpet : Gérard Goupil, Jean-Yves Cousin, Michel Lemerre, Roger’s Lesouef, Michel Marie et Daniel Picot
At the organ : Alain Bouvet
A large audience

Two video clips from the evening

Te Deum – M.A. Charpentier Générique de l’Eurovision ORTF
“Amazing Grace” hymne chrétien publiée en 1779, mais écrit en 1772 par le poète anglais John Newton

Practicable and Baptistery

Praticables endommagés
Baptistère

In places, the worshipers’ platforms are damaged. Plan to change defective pieces of wood, clean the surfaces and treat them against humidity and parasites.
The base of the baptistery is in stone, its lid in painted wood. This very beautiful work needs to be cleaned and recolored for its illuminations.
Note that this small chapel had a harmonium. This was positioned at the entrance on the left on the platform provided for this purpose. This instrument has disappeared, certainly stolen by malicious people.
Ideally, you should be lucky enough to find another one to replace it…

Sacristy

The trapezoid-shaped sacristy is 3.90 m x 2.75 m long. It is an extension of the choir and is accessed through a small door located to the right of the main altar.
This is one of the oldest parts of the chapel. This room has already been renovated, but still requires work.
In some places, the repair of the basement walls is necessary, as well as the filling of the cracks which persist near the window.
In terms of layout, provide a wall-mounted coat rack, a table, 4 chairs and storage, like farmhouse furniture to be found in a flea market…

Renovation of the canvases of the North Altar and the South Altar

Autel Nord de l’Assomption
Autel sud de l’Annonciation

These two altars are located at an angle. They form the link between the nave and the choir. These two corner altars are dedicated to the Virgin.
The north altar from the Louis XV period is decorated with an Assumption.
The south altar is older, it represents the Annunciation.
The canvases are very damaged, peeling paint and tears.
In the spirit of the chapel, these two representations have a strong character and symbolism.
The restoration of these works would mark a real renewal for our chapel, which reinforces our need to rehabilitate them, even if the cost may prove significant!

Renovation of the Choir

The choir is 6.60m long, it is lower and narrower (3.80m) than the nave (5.40m). Its walls are decorated with carmine lily flowers. We find these carmine lily flowers enhanced with a frieze at the junction of the walls and the ceiling. Humidity and old infiltrations have considerably deteriorated the whole, which requires an in-depth overall repair. Renovating everything, including the ceiling in the initial spirit, is a project that we must consider, and certainly prioritize it in the short term to avoid the old coverings falling away.

Renovation of the Nave

The nave decorated with blue Greek crosses is 8 meters long and 5 meters wide.

The wear and tear of time and also humidity have damaged its walls, requiring cleaning, filling and redoing the decor.
The wooden slat ceiling also needs to be renovated.
These restoration works should be considered in the medium term, in order to restore the whole to its original appearance and prevent further damage.

Blessing of the new stained glass window

The stained glass window representing Pope John Paul II was blessed by Monseigneur Boulanger.

It was produced by Mr. Jacques Devos.

It will soon be placed in the chapel.

Monseigneur Boulanger et M. Jacques Devos
Saint-Loup
The stained glass window in the Saint-Vigor church in St Loup-de-Fribois
Bénédiction
Blessing of the stained glass window by Monseigneur Boulanger
Détail du vitrail
Detail of the stained glass window
Vitrail Jean-Paul II
The stained glass window in place in the chapel of Saint-Maclou

A copy of the statue of Saint Marcouf

Loïs Daniel, amateur artist, is working on creating a copy of the statue of Saint Marcouf in sandstone.

The statue is ready to be fired in a kiln at 1300°C.

It will soon join the niche located above the entrance door to the chapel in place of the original statue placed in a safe place.

Loïs Daniel présente la statue avant sa cuisson

History 2006-2007

Reminder: Creation decided on the 23rd July 2005, on the occasion of a wedding in the family of Mrs. Gabriel Duriez. Thanks to a collection, the association has €260 to begin its action: safeguarding the old parish church of St-Maclou, a commune merged in 1837 with Ste-Marie-aux-Anglais then in 2001 with Le Mesnil-Mauger. In September,declaration in the Sub-Prefecture of Lisieux.> > > September 24, publication in the OFFICIAL JOURNAL.

January 2006, first sending of appeal letters to contribution. In 6 months, 195 membership proposals were sent to local residents, friends and relatives.

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