Church WITH bells
A heavy knock on the door yesterday,
“The knock of authority,” Meredith said.
Sure enough, the village policeman was standing there–in his uniform–looking a little nervous.
He’d come, he said, to inform us that a firm of builders would arrive at eight the following morning [today] to enlever les cloches de l’église.
This was not news to us.
The building firm—a family of four: father, mother and two sons, all of whom turn up—had already paid us a courtesy visit the day before to warn us that they’d been employed to do the deed.
“We’re coming to get you!”
We knew them–because months ago, we had engaged them to put in a gate in the driveway, to send a message to potential buyers of the church, that the approach belonged to us and that access was extremely problematical.
They’d never returned to do the job–a dispute with the electrician they told us–so when we finally had our offer for the church accepted by the Mairie of Lautrec, back in August, we were happy not to have become a “gated” site.
We were told the bells were not included in the sale as they belong to the parish– and were scheduled to be removed.
Makes some sense (bells are for ringing), though disappointing–especially to Meredith, whom I suspect is a campanologist (bell ringer) manquée and may have had plans to ring them on Independence Day and Thanksgiving every year!
She put up a good fight–rattling the cages in French of anyone who might have an influence–but it was a lost cause.
The job (evil deed, according to MW) was done this morning in the pouring rain–adding to the feeling of tristesse.
On ground level and close up, the bells look virtually unscathed.
A macabre twist on a sad morning: resting on the front left “eye”of the smaller bell, was a dead mole (!), appearing to cling on for dear life–as keen as we were to hang on to the bells. The prey of a hawk most likely, stored for dinner–plus tard!
Date on the smaller bell, 1821–six years after the battle of Waterloo!
We still are waiting for the Archdiocese of Albi to deconsecrate the church so that we can complete the purchase.
It has been a long wait.
Now that the bells have gone to a new life (we hope!) and the interior is shorn of its statuary and pews, the church is an empty shell.
In the right light it remains impressive though….
Benches on the move…
Church WITHOUT bells
Robin Ellis 
Obviously you must build a spire
We can aspire to…
I am sorry you had to part with the bells, but so glad that you will now own the church and will not be unblessed with disagreeable neighbors. I am sure that whatever your plans for the church may be that they will be done well and with elegant taste.
Thanks, Alix.
Great photos, how sad to have to give up the bells though. What are your plans for the church? It looks amazing, love the faded colours, Jane x
None at the moment.
Just recently I was wondering about the church and what had transpired. Perhaps I missed the update somewhere along the way. However, I’m sure that you and Meredith will do the right thing with its remains, remembering that it is sacred. Best wishes.
Sorry I’m new to your blog, are the sketches yours or Meredith s ? Having lived next to a church, the bells chiming the time was lovely but bell ringing ‘practise’ every Wednesday 7pm- 9pm left much to be desired ! I do hope they’re not going to cash in by melting them down .
It’s my blog that wouldn’t be the same without Meredith’s wonderful photos.
Farewell, old bells. (That empty bracket clearly is just begging for a nice, new “old” bell!)
Sounds like “A Year in Provance”. Poor mole. No sanctary for him.
Recently I was wondering about the church and what had transpired. I’m sure that you and Meredith will do right by it, remembering that it is sacred. Best wishes.
How sad the bells had to be removed, and I hope they find a good new home (I’m a former campanologist and have an affection for bells!!). The church looks beautiful inside and you must be proud to own it. I’m sure you have some plans for it and I’ll look forward to any updates you post.
If it is a village church l would think there is a churchyard, graves, what happens to them if there are any?
The graveyard is the other side of our house.
Here’s to a wonderful new life for the old church. Re-purposing cherished buildings is a cause dear to my heart. I live close to Hollywood ( Los Angeles’ most famous district!) and the deplorable tradition of demolishing our “old” and full-of-cinematic-history buildings continues unabated, despite the efforts of preservationists, like me!
Don’t forget that Alice’s Restaurant was in a former church.
Oh what a wonderful book in the making.
Nice quiet neighbours you have Robin !!!! Nothing to fear from the dead though. Old churchyards have a sort of serenity about them. A few of my imediate family lie there (UK) peacefully. In Holland you are there for 10 years (if you pay !!!) then you pay for another 10 years (or longer) or they dig you up .. doesn’t bear thinking about.
How disappointing the bells were taken. I’m sure you and Meredith will come up with a good solution as a replacement. They did look like they were in very good condition – all except for the attached mole! (poor thing)
What a lovely old church! The inside is particularly lovely! I hope you will share your renovations, as they develope. Bon chance! 🙏🏻
Dear Robin and Meredith,
I still think it’s unfair and a great disaster. The bells should’ve been left in peace were they stayed for almost 200 years. And who is going to repair the damage caused to the belfry by the removal of the bells? My thoughts are with you during this time of great trouble…
On Sat, Feb 13, 2016 at 5:08 AM, Robin Ellis wrote:
> Robin Ellis posted: ” A heavy knock on the door yesterday, “The knock of > authority,” Meredith said. Sure enough, the village policeman was standing > there–in his uniform–looking a little nervous. He’d come, he said, to > inform us that a firm of builders would arri” >
Breathtakingly beautiful, a wonderful cooking/eating venue perhaps? now in safe hands! Escaped the hospital today, shocked by diabetic symptoms I had no idea, but with determination for healthy eating lifestyle! Inspiration in your nutritious recipes!
The bells are so amazing. Sure hope they get a chance to ring again very soon. If this is a step in the resolution in acquiring the property, I am happy for you both. Keep us informed. The church is so serene looking even as bare as it is. Best wishes.Such great pictures Meredith. barb
What a very lovely property! More interior pictures, please.
So now, me thinks, we need a crowd funding project to raise money to buy a set of replacement bells, or have some made, so the church will not look so ‘nude’. Even a single bell would suffice?
Hope there are no ghosts lerking about. Your private church looks wonderful.
It’s a shame about the bells but how marvelous to have bought this church. Wow.
Like the ink and watercolor of the church–who did it?
They are photos changed into sketches from an app!
I’m afraid I would have put up an embarrassingly energetic fight for those beautiful bells – so looking forward to the new project .
Fie on them. The bells “belong to the parish” – but didn’t the church belong to the parish as well? Perhaps you can rummage around and find some bells of your own. I remember your telling us of the day they carted off the statues. What stories those statues must have heard over the years! Maybe you could turn that church into a restaurant, or art studio – or have some great parties there, at the very least. Or…your…cooking classes??? Beautiful colors. We all look forward to your next installment…thank you as always for your wonderful tales of France and food and CATS. We all LOVE you and Meredith !!!
I am so glad you have become the new owners of this lovely church. I am sure in yours and Meredith’s hands it will be lovingly improved and will have a new life. I did worry for you both when you said it was for sale. So sad the bells couldn’t have remained. More photographs please.
Who did these exquisite watercolours?
Hi Jill! They are photos changed into sketches from an app!
Absolutely gorgeous structure! Interior light & arches, so lovely… Like everyone else I am longing to know your plans for it 🙂
I was wondering what was happening with the church having signed the petition earlier but thought I had blinked and missed your updates. Could I ask you to let your followers know your plans for the old church? Turn it into an extension of your cooking classes maybe. Being a cat lover love the updates on all your cats as well as the flavoursome recipes although not sure about the cabbage rounds with egg posted earlier this month. Sorry.
The Cathedral it’s self can be bought, but not the bells? Makes no sense to me either. I am glad Meredith spoke up..it makes no sense at all!
Oh, whew! When I saw the title, I was afraid they were coming to save the bells & then demolish the church!! I was wondering what was happening concerning the property. Glad you bought it, if only to keep your privacy. Please keep us posted.
Oh–and Happy Almost Valentine’s Day!! Be sure to have a romantic weekend!! (Wink wink, nudge nudge! Say no more!) 😉
Dear Robin and Meredith, it is really a pity you can’t save the bells on their church but I hope that you will be the new proprietors as soon as possible as this church is really spectacular and precious to me from the photos. Wish you lots of luck on this matter!
I’m sure it was a sad day and I am sorry that the bells have gone. I just hope the church dosn’t deconsecrate further and the bells are not melted down. It’s a wonderful space – your workshop kitchen or airbnb perhaps? 😀
We’ll see, Helen.
Always a delight to have a report from Lautrec! Like others, I hope you can find some replacement bells so the empty edifice will bear some resemblance to its former self. The peal of chiming bells can be so comforting and welcoming – providing they come at the right times. Perhaps yours could announce cooking classes.
Wishing you a very happy Valentine’s Day.
Nancy, Santa Fe, NM
Thanks, Nancy.
Where will the Church Bells be put on display for Parishioners to view them?
Shawdian
>
We don’t know.
What will you do with the deconsecrated Church Robin?
Shawdian
>
We’ll have to see!
Wow. A church in your own ‘backyard’. A beautiful historic relic of the 19th if the bells note its building date. It’s evident to see that Lautrec and some of its inhabitants truly respect the artifacts of the past that are still standing after all the years.
No doubt the church has its fine history to be explored. I’d say keeping that church in the midst of Lautrec orivides that ‘connection’ to the past that we all have. Indeed you will be walking on ground trod by French worshippers a long time ago. Can make someone think. I admire that. Wow.
Not the Lautrec church, the little eglise du coin–for use by the farming families around, who would have walked to it.
Robin…I love the way you write…I love the life that you and Meredith have made for each other…perhaps the removal of the bells is a blessing…from where I stand, and from what I see and hear…you and Meredith are the clarion sounds that must be heard…
Nice and positive, Sharon–thanks!
Hello Meredith & Robin So pleased to hear thAt the house and church are joined together again, sad about.your bells though, there is nothing more beautiful than hearing a peel of bells on a Sunday, not quite so sure about the bell ringers practising though.
What a beautiful place it.must have been when in use as a church, it must have seamed likes.you were in heaven, the colours so bright and those statutes looking on very beautiful.I am not a very religious person but I love wondering round old churches.
I am sure that both Meredith and you will find something very appropriate to bring life back to your village and it’s very beautiful church.
Thanks, Elaine–we’ll see how we go.
Someone owes you five farthings!!
Such good news that the church, in your ownership, will be well cared for. I hope in due course we will hear more about it.
What a beautiful church!!!!! Barbara Boling Oxford, Mississippi
Sent from my iPhone Barbara Boling
>
That’s sad! What will they do with them? But a nice surrise to hear Meredith on Radio 4 Sat morning!
Love to you both, M and V
Date: Fri, 12 Feb 2016 18:38:39 +0000 To: markanderson1001@hotmail.co.uk
She’ll be thrilled you were listening, Mark.
Love to you both too!
Good day – I posted a comment yesterday, but it seems to have gone missing!
All I put was
Someone owes you five farthings!!
It is a brilliant outcome for you to be able to purchase the church and retain your privacy. It will be in safe hands with you.
I thought i just answered it but i must have pressed the wrong button! Sorry. We are thrilled about the outcome and hugely relieved. Won’t quite believe it ’til the key is in our hands!
Thanks for the clarification on the ‘petit egilse du coin’ now in your hands.
Tough that the bells couldn’t stay. Under the circumstances I wouldn’t be surprised if you were like Quasimodo, that Notre Dame bell- ringer par excellence, looking not at a gargoyle but instead at the place where the bells were and noting ‘why couldn’t they have been made of stone!’.
And the church. Those walls are ready made to hear the beautiful sounds of Rameau, Lully and Mouret (Masterpiece Theater theme composer). Best in working with your little architectural gem there in Lautrec.
Rich
Thanks, Rich, we look forward to it.
Morning Meredith and Robin, what a lovely little church! An exciting acquisition for you both! I share your love of bells Meredith….there is something so attractive about the soft timbre of foreign bells (to my ear), that is far nicer than the usual harsh peal of English bells! The sound of French and Italian bells always evokes such wonderful, timeless memories of time spent there. I’m sorry the ones from your church have been reclaimed and I too hope that they will find a new home! Love the result of the app you’ve used for the photo’s too Robin!
Dear Meredith & Robin: It has taken me a few days to get back to you on this story. First of all, I am so sorry you lost your bells but the pictures of the interior of the church is very impressive. Is it in stable condition or are you going to need to spend money on that? Have any plans for its future use yet? Secondly, I had no idea there is an app to turn photographs into watercolor sketches. What a great idea and perfect for illustrations in either your blog or cookbooks. Always enjoy seeing what is happening with the two of you. Hugs, Norma
Sent from my iPad
>
Hi Norma!
No plans yet and we will do some work on it but don’t know how much yet. We are waiting for the Archdiocese to deconsecrate it before the deal goes through.
Lovely blog post. Thank you.
Thanks, Hilary.