The restoration of the Church of Saints Nectarios and Martin in Tours is advancing significantly. The stained glass windows and portions of the main façade have recently been restored.
The Romanian community purchased the church, a historic monument, 15 years ago with support from the Metropolis of Western and Southern Europe.
Restoration efforts began five years ago, driven by the Department for Romanians Abroad. Between 2022 and 2023, extensive work was undertaken to refurbish wooden elements and the roof.
“This restoration work is entirely God’s work in the world,” said Fr. Vasile Șomle, parish priest, in an interview with Trinitas TV.
Father Șomle expressed gratitude for the support of the Department for Romanians Abroad, emphasizing that the small community of approximately 1,200 people could not have achieved this on its own.
“We thank them for their support and trust in helping us save this historic monument and, at the same time, beautify the home for future generations. Through this effort, we hope to keep our children connected to the Romanian language, faith in God, and European cultural and Christian values,” he added.
With further assistance from the Romanian state, the community has also established a classroom and a parish library space where children can participate in catechism and reading sessions.
Highlights of the Restoration Work
Fr. Vasile Șomle detailed the meticulous process of faithfully restoring the main façade.
“Looking at the original photo, you’ll see that this entire section was missing. Everything was rebuilt exactly as shown in the plans we recovered from the State Department from one side to the other. We reconstructed every piece of the sculpture that adorned the church. The large arch, the cornice at the top replaced with new stone, and the central part down to the rose window have all been restored.”
A similar detailed restoration was carried out for the stained glass windows. Future work will focus on the exterior to fully restore the church’s original architectural beauty.
“The west and east façades remain, where we must restore the large windows. The stonework must be completely replaced, including the upper mouldings protecting the windows from rainwater coming off the roof.”
“This church is not just a place of worship but also a symbol of unity and hope for our community’s future. We want this site to become a landmark for future generations,” concluded Fr. Șomle.
The Church of Saints Nectarios of Aegina and Martin in Tours was built in 1860 based on designs by architect Gustave Guéron and is located in the historic heart of Tours.
Photo: Trinitas TV
