Workshop Stonecutter, tribute to the builders of churches and urban monuments,

by Damien (de Wimereux) and the Société Chevalier-Nord (which intervenes in the restoration of the church of Wimereux)

Free Admission
In Wimereux, with the partnership of the City, the Association of Friends of the Church has federated local associations for the enhancement of the Heritage (civil, religious, military) to invite you to look up at the viaduct and to look at the construction of the railway track in Wimille, with its station, which was the decisive element in the genesis of the seaside resort of Wimereux (currently classified Remarkable Heritage Site). An independent urbanization of Wimille was created, with its city center, around its church (currently closed for restoration).
The AEICW also offers for these JEPs some workshops on the trades that revolve around the life and construction of churches and monuments.
• Stone cutting by Damien, Wimereusian stone cutter, and the company CHEVALIER Nord: presentation of tools and stones to explain the cutting technique, the technique of «tracing» on some blocks of chalk or limestone (the stone carving is not sculpture: one works the stone following a line). Demonstration of local stones: Baincthun sandstone: construction stones, deformed or roughly cut with a square face in facade or 2 faces in the corners of the buildings (to show the limestone masonry of the stones of the Boulonnais) ; sandstone of Wimereux (rounded by the tides and used in the first constructions).
A parenthesis:
Damien will share one of his concerns: the construction of nest boxes in brick or stone walls, to ensure a habitat for birds and bats in buildings (by Damien).
A bit of history …
The craft appears as soon as the man wants to build imposing buildings and designed to last (temples, fortifications, etc.) thus from ancient Egypt and in Greek and Roman antiquity. Then, over the centuries, the craft continued without interruption, sometimes retaining the same techniques and tools (some types of tools used by current stonecutters have not changed in 2000 years). The construction of ashlar stone then affects all areas of architecture: church, cathedral, castle, bridge, quay, etc.
Because of the arduousness and dangerousness of their work, stone cutters on major church sites in the Middle Ages received a salary higher than the average of other craftsmen. They sometimes receive a risk premium when they climb on scaffolding.
Stone construction fell into disuse in the 1930s, when reinforced concrete (invented in 1900) and steel began to be massively used. Henceforth, the stonecutters, who were "builders", concentrated on restoring existing stone buildings, because the stones of our monuments, exposed to the elements, have a limited lifespan. When the material is damaged or sick, it is necessary to replace it partially or entirely by an equivalent stone of nature and form.
Henri Chevalier – Chevalier Nord Company
Created in 1946 by Henri Chevalier, stonemason and companion of the Tour de France, the company H. Chevalier originally specialized in the restoration of historic stone monuments.
Under the impetus of the two following generations, it then developed in the field of masonry and shell work for the renovation of built heritage and heavy rehabilitation.
In 2012, h. chevalier bought the stock of Andrée Macé, a company specialized in the restoration and sale of period fireplaces, in marble or stone, as well as their cast iron equipment. This new activity naturally led to the restoration of stone and marble sculptures and metals.
In 2018, H. Chevalier was awarded the EPV (Living Heritage Company) label.