City: ménil-Gonduin is a commune
in the northwestern part of France, the region of Lower Normandy.
The surface of this small village is 9,17km square, enough
for a population of 174 inhabitants (2007).
Building:église Vivante et Parlante. The church in this little
place is regarded as somewhat unusual. Victor Paysant was parish
priest there from 1873 up to 1921. The church was just built
when he arrived (1870). The priest wanted his church to be a
“living and speaking building”. The walls were for
him like a big screen for projection. It became a mission for
him to decorate the church, inside and out, with Biblical texts
and writings inspired by the saints.
After his death the diocese decided to remove 'his foolish
acts' from the church. The outer front wall was whitewashed
and the internal decoration was renewed. There was however
in 1976 a large drought and some of the fresco’s appeared
again. A local union resolved to restore the church to its
original state during the time of Victor Paysant. The Town
Council also became involved in this project. The venture
even became known in Rome. With the help of the memory of
an elderly man together with 180 postcards the church was
finally restored. The restoration was completed in 2004.
