The inauguration of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral gave ideas to lovers of old stones and historical monuments. HAS Neuilly-en-Thelle (Oise), Denis Jacoba resident of the town for around fifteen years, took advantage of the enthusiasm generated by the renovation of the most famous religious building in the country to create an association which will aim, in particular, to restore the town church. And more broadly to safeguard the heritage of Neuilly-en-Thelle.
Outside the stones are crumbling, inside the blackened choir
“I had already created an association more focused on culture and leisure in 2014, called Anetheremembers Denis Jacob. A notion of heritage was also included. I am a lover of old stones! The association only lasted two years. But we had organized quite a few events.»
Ten years later, the one who is also elected in opposition to the municipal council decided to restart the machine to try to find funds for the restoration of this building dating from the 12th or 13th century, classified as a historic monument since 1930. “Outside, the stones are crumblinghe shows. Inside, the choir is blackened. There are two relics and two carved wooden statues from the 14th and 16th centuries that need to be taken care of!»
Call the Heritage Foundation
Aware that a municipal budget cannot satisfy the needs of the building, Denis Jacob intends to multiply sources of income to carry out his project. After contacting the municipality, the diocese and Bâtiments de France, he intends to attack the Heritage Foundation, Stéphane Bern and the Ministry of Culture. “This church has a history linked to the nobility of the Oise, we could also try to have some patronshe whispers. We may not succeed, but we will at least have tried.» A concert should be organized in the church around Easter, in order to collect donations. A call for donations on an online platform should also emerge in the coming weeks.
In recent years, some cleaning work has been carried out on the church: maintenance of the roof, weather vane rebuilt, and a ton of pigeon droppings coming out of the bell tower. But according to the elected official, it would take much more to restore its letters of nobility. “I don’t understand why historical monuments don’t come and do inspections from time to time, or an assessment.», he regrets.
Besides the church, Denis Jacob also does not forget the heritage of the town, such as the Calvary or the Guardhouse. But the main and most urgent objective remains the Saint-Denis church in Neuilly-en-Thelle.
