“What are you going to do with the church?”
Yesterday we received a strong hint from the building herself.
Our friend, Lowrie Blake (who runs cello workshops around here in summer) came over and drew the bow of her beautiful cello across its strings– and a magical sound resulted!
It was a thrilling and significant moment in the restoration de l’église.
It pointed the way forward as the notes of Bach’s Minuets 1 and 2 and the Sarabande from the Suite in G major filled the space–and sent shivers down our backs and brought a tear to the eye.
As Lowri played Bach excerpts, one could almost feel the church
E X P A N D with pride.
Lowri said she was impressed; playing was no effort–she floated on an acoustic cloud.
In some places, she says, it is an effort to play–not in this church.
Woodwind and strings, she suggests, are ideal combos–quintets and quartets.
“How long, oh Lord, how long have I had to wait to be appreciated!”
The battered, old building has offered its services to the small parish since it was constructed 150 years ago–built to accommodate the growing population of believers.
There were benches inside to seat well over 60 “adepts” (followers)–more like a hundred–many of them now at rest in the cemetery.
On All Saints/Toussaint (November First) there is still a trickle who come to pay respects to their ancestors and some who remember the church from their childhood–but this congregation has dwindled.
When we arrived in July 1990, the church was still functioning for funerals and two masses a year.
A few years later it was closed on the order of the Mairie of Lautrec (who owned the building).
“Trop dangereux! Too dangerous a state to remain in operation.”
There has been movement in some walls but clearly our church had no intention of yielding to the storms and the tempests, high winds and torrential rains or the dire predictions of a temporal power.
I’m still here, she cries, and the doubters can go hang!
Robin Ellis 
What a wonderful use to make the church and the people happy.
So lovely! I can see destination weddings and festivities plus concerts, and the like. Thank you for doing this.
A true blessing and labor of love. . .
Bless you for reclaiming this beautiful structure! So very glad that I got to see it in person. Maybe some day I will be able to come see it now that you have rescued it.
Surely.
As a musician, and string player (violist), I love this story. The church is made for chamber music!
As my French teacher once said to me,
“Voici votre destin!”
Come and play!
I may take you up on that!
How wonderful!
Thank You, Robin for this beautiful story–how lovely to read about your church with my morning coffee—truly “flowers for my soul”!
Thank you Robin, for allowing us to follow the story of this beautiful building and it re awakening.
How beautiful! I read an article once about a church like this in the English countryside. Left vacant 364 days a year – except for one day each December when the people would come and hear a Christmas concert by strings and brass. Lit only by candles the effect seems magical. What a wonderful site that would be to see!
That’s good to know. Though with no heating/lighting to date December would not be the month of choice!
How wonderful! Tx
Sent from my iPad
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Thanks, Theresa.
This brought a few tears to my eye and choked up for quite a while. We love Bach and could imagine the music.
It is so beautiful and the front view says ” I’m here to stay”.
All the best to you both, always.
It really is a beautiful church, and I would love to join fellow woodwind (I’m a mediocre oboist!!!) and string players to play in such an historic building with great acoustics.
Hilary Mepsted
Thank you, Hilary–we are a ways yet from organizing that kind of event. Good to know you would be interested.
Oh Robin what a beautiful way to use the building once the restoration is complete! Please post performance dates once you have them. Thank you for all you and Meredith are doing to save this treasure….
Alyce Amery-Spencer
email: gemgroup@consolidated.net
BACH WOULD BE HONORED FOR HIS MUSIC TO BE PLAYED AT THIS FINE CHURCH
Fantastic. I’m sure a few of us could come and play, doing a charity event ? What do you think Robin?
Keep up the great work! After hearing evensong in Bath last month, it made me appreciate how pieces sound in church buildings with good acoustics. If a cellist loves it, that’s a great sign! I can easily picture concerts there. How is it for voice…? Do you know yet? (I realize it’s different for an actor’s voice than a soloist.)
How absolutely fabulous… “Much Success” to you.
Such a wonderful way of using your beautiful church. My husband and I go to a hotel in Umbria just south of Perugia where they have a little chapel in the grounds. The last owners used to have a weekly concert in the chapel and it was magical!
Robin, Thank you for letting us share in the restoration of this beautiful church. I hope I can visit for a concert someday!
There is nothing more beautiful than acoustic chamber music. What a wonderful home it will find in your church.
How wonderful to save a wonderful building.
Well that will be perfect ….beautifull music in a beautifull church ,meant to be …..absolutely perfect . Well done .
How beautiful it looks now, what a worthwhile labour of love! I hope that all who enter will experience peace, good health and well being. Enjoy your achievement Robin and Meredith xx
What a beautiful place. I remember when you told us about the statue removal. I thought of all those people who must have whispered their hopes and fears to them. How lovely of you and your friend to fill the space with music. Thanks, as always, for sharing your beautiful, happy life with us!
Bach and Mozart in your own private sanctuary! Truly you are blessed.
Nancy, Santa Fe
Oh, Robin and Meredith…how gratifying to listen to something you’ve been hearing for, lo, these many years…how humbling to know that you’ve been true to it, that you were chosen and you said ‘yes.’
What a great use for this special place! But I kept scrolling down for an accompanying video!! 😉
Lowri asked us not to broadcast it.
Absolutely glorious! What an experience.
Meredith Robin playing that Bach must have sounded so beautiful in your lovely
church. Do hope that you can continue with your restorations, thank you so much that you care.I am sure the church is looking kindly on you knowing it had found friends who care. Best wishes Elaine and Jimmy.
Hello As I did not hear from you, this is to confirm I will not include you in my book.
Best wishes
Shawdian
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