A 91-year-old French retiree, Raymond Landy, inherited €1 million after his brother’s passing in 2022. Rather than keeping the inheritance for himself, he surprised his village of La Chapelle-sur-Aveyron and the nursing home residents by deciding to donate the money to the local church.
Having spent his life in the Loiret region, just south of Paris, where he and his brother worked together on the family farm, Raymond’s generous donation will enable the restoration of the village church, potentially saving it from demolition. The small village, with a population of slightly over 600 residents, deeply appreciates his act of kindness.
A commemorative plaque was unveiled at the church to honor Raymond’s generosity, symbolizing his deep connection to the area where he was born, baptized, and celebrated his first communion. The mayor of the village, Christian Chevalier, emphasized the church’s significance as the heart of the community.
Antoine Leriche, the appointed architect for the restoration project, expressed gratitude for the donation, highlighting the unique opportunity to complete the renovation in a single phase, unlike typical projects that span several years due to financial constraints. The restoration process, set to span approximately a year, will involve various stages including repairing the bell tower, choir, roof, and framework.
Scheduled to commence last month, the restoration endeavors aim to secure the church’s structural integrity for the next 150 years, ensuring the preservation of this vital community asset.