The tomb of St. Martin in Tours was rediscovered on December 14, 1860–which encouraged a revival of popular devotion to St. Martin.
Our church–named for St. Martin–was built at this time.
Jean-Luc and his son Gregor are here to complete the first tranche of work on “our” church—the cleaning out and making safe–after it had been abandoned for over 15 years.
Seems a good moment for a spring cleaning, with Spring bursting out everywhere.
The work on the overgrown trees and hedge surrounding the church is beginning to pay off.
The hawthorns or “May Trees”–carefully planted with ten meters gaps long ago–are breathing easier than they have for years.
I’m waiting for the pretty white blossoms of the hawthorn to show. Not a pleasant fragrance, as I recall from childhood, but a beautiful sight–and sure sign that the seasons have changed.
“Ne’er cast a clout ‘til May be out”–a trope oft-repeated in our household when I was growing up in the ‘fifties.
Never knew whether it meant–Don’t leave off warm winter clothes until June OR keep wrapped up until the May trees/hawthorns are blooming.
Jean-Luc and Gregor are an impressive team.
Spot Jean-Luc and Gregor high up on the scaffolding!
They carry an air of competence and savoir-faire–they what they’re doing.
It’s reassuring.
Today they are removing the bulbous excretions of plastic filling that oozed from the large cracks inside and outside the walls of the eastern side chapel as they were treated.
I’m reminded of the cake fillings my mother used to bind her sponge layers.
She’d spread the gorgeous coffee-flavored cream on the bottom sponge–thick–and press down the second layer on top.
Then run the spreading knife ’round the circumference–collecting a good dollop of the crunchy, sugary mix for a patient “sous chef” beside her to relish.
The plastic is not so tempting.
Left to dry out thoroughly it’s judged ready to be prettied up.
The chapel in question was in a perilous state and looked as though it could collapse in a trice.
Here it is in the BEFORE state:
The confessional stall on the right was set into the wall–surely a factor in the weakening it.
The men gingerly removed it.
The ground was settling there–making sense as the leaning wall–but why is still unclear.
Jean-Luc went to work–tying in the three walls and filling in the gaps.
AFTER:
The sandstone used in the 1860s to construct the church was hacked from the cliffs nearby–an inexpensive option.
The church is built on rock (appropriate!)–but with scant foundations.
A miracule it has stayed standing!
Saint Martin himself may have had a hand in it–legend has him as a worker of miracles.
Here is one of the best-preserved murals in the church. St. Martin is tied to a post in winter, giving his executioners pause by summoning Spring!
Another mural depicts him standing in the path of a tree being felled–and legend has it that the tree miraculously missed him.
Keeping his church from toppling seems small beer in comparison.
The remedial work involved removing the heavy plaster vaulted ceiling in the transept where it was pulling away from its wooden roof. Had it fallen it might have brought “all the king’s men” down with it.
A shame to lose the stunning blue ceiling in the side chapel, but an unavoidable step.
The roof is the next step–and for that we wait for more reliable weather.
Meanwhile our head cat, Beau, is supervising the works:
Robin Ellis 
Fascinating, Robin. Thank you!
wow what a job …. good luck and god bless.
My dream since living in France as a child (1950s) has been to do what you are doing. I never had the opportunity — nor the finances, so am perfectly happy to enjoy your adventure from the safety of my chair! Please keep up updated.
It’s stunning, how wonderful to have such a building next door!
Lovely update Robin what a truly breathtaking church inside and out. I’m intrigued by the headless women effigy in one of the pictures! Nice to see Beau settling in
Thank you for sharing this wonderful renovation – your description made me feel as if I was there. Loved seeing your team – great braces Jean-Luc!
Wonderful to see…a very exciting project! I’m hoping it will become the new cookery school one day!
A thought! Hi there, Rachel.
I can only say WOW, doble WOW. Maybe you can add “St. Martin’s In The Fields, South” How wonderful that you are doing this! Cannot wait to hear and see more. I’m amazed how much has been done and how quickly. Thought it would take much longer, esp having read Peter Maysle’s books about renovations LOL. Best wishes to you and Meredith. I hardly dare ask, not wanting to be heretical and blasphemous [perhaps] but would you consider having classes in this space?
Stevie de Longmont
Probably too expensive to set up.
I was just wondering what was to be done with your church? This is amazing and very exciting for you both Im certain. And no hardhats!!!
What a beautiful church, I hope you can save the murals too. Thanks for showing the renovation process I always enjoy the journey.
Wow! Quite the adventure. Looks like you’ve got a really skilled pair of guys on the job. Glad the church finally ended up in the right hands. Keep us posted!
What an exciting project — can’t wait to see more photos as it progresses. FUN! (How can the men work in all the dust without masks on?)
it’s wonderful that you are having as much as possible restored and saved for next generation. I look forward to seeing more as the hard work continues.
That “French” blue (or Portuguese blue, as we call it in Portugal) should be easy enough to obtain. It’s a marvellous thing you are doing. (Will you be the pastor?)
In a wig–yes!
Hi Robin,
What a beautiful job! The church will look stunning when it is finished. I’m so glad that I had a chance to see it. Keep posting the pictures.
Sandy Smith Buchanan
Wow robin what fabulous restoration project..So good to keep iconic buildings. So many in our town Have been demolished .
Can’t wait to see the finished results..Not can the cat I presume lol..
Best wishes. Trudy bodmin
What an impressive project! You must find every step so rewarding…tons of work, of course, but amazing!
Oh WOW, you own this church?! It is beautiful. How wonderful and good that you are trying to preserve and care for what is left of it. I am so impressed….not that your were trying to impress me but I must say, YOU HAVE!
What a fabulous project. It’s so lovely to see such a beautiful building being saved from dereliction. I’m looking forward to hearing more when you come to the Historical Novel Society conference in August in Scotland.
Looking forward to seeing you there.
Fascinating project! Wonderful pictures! I’m envious that you have undertaken this “salvage” work and look forward to seeing and hearing about the next stops.
Nancy
Santa Fe, NM
Hallo Robin! We too are supervising the works from Italy! Well done! Go on Robin, Jean Luc and Gregor! Good luck from Rosaria and Giuseppe!
Grazie, Rosaria and Guiseppe!
I look forward to the next chapter in your renovation of your church
Looks as though it is going o be amazing.
Looks like Beau likes his “new” home away from home. The church will be wonderful
What a tremendous undertaking – you and Meredith are to be congratulated for taking this on! The church looks beautiful and will enhance your already amazing home and property. Can’t wait to see it next time we come 😉
Hi Randi–we’ll be here.
That’s an amazing start – really looking forward to the updates….x
Father&Son team really has the know-how!
Rewarding project to see it all coming together. Here in Australia, where I live, in the SW of WA the oldest church is around 160 years old only. Such beautiful murals too
Bravo Robin it looks like a major project are you getting any help for preserving a local treasure ? It could make a wonderful space for yoga or meditation or something enriching , art classes ? It looks inspirational !
Or a Simon Chandler one man show!
Come and visit one weekend when you are not in Norfolk!
xx
Beautiful! The reveal is exciting!
I am so happy you have this building Robin, good luck with it. Best regards also to Meredith.
What a fabulous project. I’ll follow with interest. Best wishes to you both.
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing! It would be nice if you could find a way to maintain its sacred history. Best wishes!
Yes, I agree.
I take it this church will sadly no longer be used for its original purpose, but what a wonderful space it would be for concerts! It’s an amazing project and like Sally earlier, I’m intrigued by the headless woman!! I’m also intrigued that the restorers aren’t abiding by EU regs re Health and Safety!! But at least they’re using scaffolding and not just ladders!! Looking forward to some more photos as the project unfolds. Huge luck with it xx
Wonderful story.
I noticed that the beautiful blue ceiling is close to the color of the sky, behind the church, in the first picture. Maybe a little bit more purple or violet, or some other tint…a beautiful medium blue one seldom sees now..
All the best
Much enduring good luck for the rest of this worthwhile project.
I’m new to your blog. i’m curious. Is there stained glass in the rose window? It’s hard to tell even with the picture magnified. If there is can it be salvaged? Cleaned up the light would be beautiful.
Haven’t received a post from you in YEARS! Please resume sending them ASAP!