Objectives of the association
To build on the work of Arcisse de Caumont, Prosper Mérimée, Louis Regnier and several other local personalities to conserve this church, some of the residents of Mesnil-Mauger came together with the principal objective of conserving the magnificent medieval wall paintings.
They created an association under the Law of 1901 which in
partnership with the municipality, provides the best framework to
raise the necessary funding.
Its founders
The four founding members are :- Michel Foyer, who has already done much for the chapel,
- Vincent Juhel, an art historian, who called for the preservation of the Chapel on his website,
- Patrick Truffaut, who brings all of his experience while devoting himself fully to the Church of St. Maclou,
- Jacques Devos, seasonal resident since 1957 in Saint-Crespin, where he was a farmer for ten years.
The committee
At the General Meetings of 21 October 2023, the committee and the bureau were renewed. The committee is as follows :
| President Vice-presidents Secretary Treasurer |
Mr. Jacques Devos Mr. Michel Foyer Mr. Dominue Hiblot Mr. Pascal Fournier Ms. Chantal Pallard |
| Other members |
Ms. Brigitte Bryant Ms. Andrée Dumaz Ms. Roselyne Fouques Ms. Lysiane Hiblot Mr. Vincent Juhel Mr. Michel Kohn Mr. Jean-Louis Le Saux Ms. Josiane Maxel Ms. Mariette Meunier Sir Peter Ricketts |
Michel Kohn is in charge of digital medias of the association (Internet site, Facebook page).
Achieved actions and future activities
Restoration of the chapel
Since the chapel has been classified in 1910 as an "historical monument", the Association must comply with the rules of the Department of Cultural Affairs. A strict administrative procedure is to be followed, in name of the city of Mézidon Vallée d'Auge with the help of an expert of the Regional Office of Cultural Affairs. The general contractor must be a chief architect of Historic Monuments ; Mr. Benoit Maffre was chosen.
The "autorisation de travaux sur monument historique" which allows
works on historical monuments was notified by the prefect of
Calvados in June 2016. A request for proposals was launched in last
August ; 5 companies were then selected to undertake the
works. In November 2016, we are waiting for the notification of the
financial participation of the french Department of Cultural
Affairs. The fist phase of works started in March 2017, after the first site meeting
of all partners and chosen enterprises hold in the chapel on
February the 15th. Works were finished in May 2018.
The municipality of Mézidon Vallée d'Auge, which owns the chapel,
acts as the contracting authority. The Association helps the
municipality to fetch information, to establish contacts and to
search for fundings.
A study for the restoration of paintings could then start.
Diagnosis and cost evaluation
for restoring mural paintings
A contract was established with the
Art Partenaire company which, after a whole study of paintings and
of restoration possibilities, has delivered a very detailed
report. Mrs Mélodie Bonnat precisely described paintings damages
and gave an estimate of the costs of restoration works.
Then, we had to gather needed fundings and to select a prime
contractor.
In spring 2021, following a request for proposals prepared by the
company Urbiconseil, Mr. Maffre (B. MAP) was chosen as general
contractor as he was for the restoration of the chapel.
His first task was to precise the costs in order to search for
fundings. It was decided to make a comprehensive survey of
paintings to allow necessary choices, using orthophotography
technique.
For knowing the expected work sequence, read the attachment of the
newsletter of June 2021.
Visits
Visits can be again organized. You may inform us about you wish of visiting the chapel by mail (ccsma@orange.fr).
Join the association !
The CCSMA association already has 150 members. We warmly welcome
your support.
Annual contributions (from early September to the end of August)
have been fixed as follows :
- Active members: 10 €
- Benefactors: 60 €
Click here
to download the membership form.