religious edifices for sale - manche - lower-normandy

The 19th century chapel

The floor surface area of the chapel is approx. 650 m², including annex rooms spanning approx. 80 m², with a maximum east-west length of approx. 30 m. Constructed at the same time as the monastery in 1843, it was partially destroyed by fire in 1870. The steeple which was burnt down was not rebuilt. The bell which was in a bell-tower above the monastery is now in the town hall.
The tall facades are built of exposed and rendered quarry blocks as well as dressed stone under a hip roof, predominantly covered with natural slate.
The current chapel, partially rebuilt in 1872, comprises, on its west side, a nave with little columns featuring capitals and supporting a gothic vault, all resting on buttresses. The stained glass in the gothic windows evokes the life of the Virgin Mary. At the end, a stained glass window on the right-hand side represents Saint-Pierre-Fourrier, priest of Mattaincourt in Lorraine, pioneer of the Catholic Reformation and, on the left-hand side, the blessed Alix-Le-Clerc teaching children. An entrance porch way, set at right angles, opens into the nave. Two adjoining storage rooms, illuminated by gothic windows, await restoration.
The north wing was constructed in the same style as the nave in 1887. Adorned with capitals featuring acanthus leaves and stained glass windows, it was used as a choir for nuns before being opened to the public. Its old benches are still in place and are in a good state of repair.
The most recent section is on the east side. It dates from the early 20th century and was built under the supervision of Pierre-Pinsard, a renowned architect specialised in contemporary sacred art. He was responsible for the superb, sober stone altar in the transept crossing and had non-figurative stained glass put in, inspired by the Mont-Saint-Michel refectory. Backing on to this are annex rooms under a roof terrace, with roof illumination, which could be converted into accommodation.
A door opening on to the transept provides access to the confessional, another leads to the sacristy. The remaining furniture is greatly in need of restoration, as are the walls, ceilings and floors of the sacristy and the following rooms looking out on to the street.
The north wing and the sacristy open on to a small garden. It is enclosed by walls formed by the facades of the sacristy and another topped with wrought iron railings including a gate that opens on to the street.
The entire carcass is in a reasonable state of repair. Water leaking through the roof flashing has damaged the ceiling plaster. Renovation works will have to be scheduled.