Following 2024 summer, which was marked by a number of events organized by our Association, including a book fair, a walk in the footsteps of Alexis de Tocqueville and participation in the European Heritage Days, it’s time to review the works being carried out on the church.
Works began in 2008, undertaken by the commune of Tocqueville with the support of our Association, created in 2009. This has been carried out in three main phases, the third of which, devoted to combating dampness in the floors and walls, has just been completed.
The works were financed with the help of public bodies: Département, Région, Préfecture, as well as the Fondation du Patrimoine, via donations and subsidies.
The first phase (2008-2016) involved the complete repair of the church roof and bell tower, renovation of the 16 stained glass windows and mullions, replacement of the bell tower’s bells and whistles, safety measures for the bell tower, and repair of the interior plasterwork in the choir and chapels, which had deteriorated because of damp.
A second phase (2017-2021) saw the painting of the exterior Sacré-Coeur statue, the installation of indirect interior Led lighting to enhance the edifice, the restoration of the listed painting The Sacrifice of Abraham, and the renovation of the high altar with its altarpiece, statues and painting The Resurrection. While restoring the altarpiece, two adoring angels were discovered, originally masked by faux-marble paint. Under the high altar, a large granite altar stone was found, which has since been installed in the south aisle.
The third phase (2023-2024) was mainly devoted to combating damp, with a complete overhaul of the floors of the nave, aisles and chapels, and the replacement of cement plaster on the lower walls with lime plaster. The north-side forecourt was also landscaped, an external staircase was created to access the sacristy, and the 13th-century lancets windows in the east chevet, visible in the sacristy, were restored.
At the same time, a number of works were carried out by local volunteers: restoration of the choir’s oak stalls, damaged by damp, the lectern, baptismal fonts, stations of the Stations of the Cross and velvet-covered seats, as well as the creation of information panels for visitors to the church. The chairs in the nave were also replaced, financed by our Association.
After fifteen years of intense activity, there is still work to be done in order to restore and maintain our Saint-Laurent church. A program is currently being drawn up, which will need to be accompanied by a search for funding.