The writing under the Sacred Heart says "He (or It) is nothing but love and mercy". Love seeing your respect for this once holy ground. It will surely be a blessing to you.
Hi , Real nun here. Those medals etc would be normal finds in a convent/monastery. Often people visit a holy place and bring back a medal. Often they have been blessed so you would just throw them away. When a sister dies you clear her room and you could expect to find these type of items. I am happy to help identify things that you find. The secret room with Sainte Famille picture is French for ‘holy family’ ie Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The picture with the heart is the ‘Sacred Heart’. It’s a devotional picture. The work you are doing is so fascinating. Thanks
Hello Billy. I was wondering if you considered that perhaps the secret room woud have been used to hide Jews during WWII? I have some relatives who were hidden in just such a room, bit bigger from what I remember, it was a convent just ouside the City of Nancy in Lorraine, north east France. I visited it many years later. The sisters saved seven members of my family that way.
It could well be so, but even though It was a catholic convent, why would they keep the catholic imagery, i.e. The Holy Family and the one of the Sacred Heart, which is the Heart with the Sword and the Crown of Thorns around it... The world's around the Edge say something to the order of: Halt! The Heart of Jesús Is with me. May your kingdom come (to us). It is considered a powerful sacramental, once It is blessed by a catholic priest, to keep Evil away from whoever carries it on their person or has it affixed to their doors or walls of where they live.
Billy the wallpapers are truly stunning. I agree that a wallpaper company could reproduce them as a 'Convent' or 'Hidden Room' series. The fact that they have not been exposed to the light would have preserved the beautiful colours and the gold.
Anna from How to Renovate a Chateau (without killing your partner) actually has made her own wallpaper. I believe she is a textile designer. That might be a great collaboration between her and Michael attempting to recreate one of those wallpapers. I’d love to know how old they are.
I agree it should be reproduced. As I looked at them, pausing for a really good look, the multiple patterns, the strips side by side made me think it was donated. The paper would appear to me to be partial rolls left from other local homes and persons who gave them to the Convent. They were useful and beautiful as are many other items in the buildings. Also when you get a chance have the jewelry appraised as now days vintage pieces can go for higher prices than gold. All depends on when, where and who made it or if it has great age. This is a fascinating place and I look forward to seeing more of the restorations.
The paper looked more like leftovers cobbled together. Funny how different people can see the exact same thing and draw a different conclusion. Hope Billy can interview the nuns and get an answer!
@@shutterfocus Left overs or samples. I have seen some huge tombs of wallpaper samples from that era. The nuns probably appreciated how wonderful those sections of wall paper are!
If the wallpaper samples were put up when they were new, they're probably almost as good as the day they were made. No fading would have occurred (i.e. from sunlight) in that secret, closed room. So you can probably be quite certain the colors are very very close to the original colors. How stunning!
So awesome! But you might need to be very careful with the green wallpapers. I am not sure if anyone mentioned it before, but if the green floral wallpaper is old (up to late 19th century) it may contain traces of arsenic-based dyes. It would be a good idea to send a small sample to a specialist. Keep up the good work!
Yes. Good advice. William Morris is said to be indirectly associated with the death of thousands of people. Fluctuating temperatures if warmth and damp and Victorian obsession with cleaning released it into the air..
Lifes too short for nanny states.... comments from people who don't know about the sort of safety equipment available for building work and removing it will freak the historians/planners/archaeologists out. Honestly some people are frightened of their own shadow, half the streams in central scotland are precipitating arsenic from quarry, mines and slag heaps
I remember when you said Michael was the ‘star’ to Ryan once…now look at your channel. You only needed to get comfortable in front of the camera. I think Michael was just comfortable from the get-go. I think, like Michael, your enthusiasm and knowledge for the topic your are speaking on is what makes you both very special and excellent vloggers.
You are doing what I started out doing when I was in my late teens. Single in a large city I needed and apartment or other living space. A drinking friend was renovating an old house into four apartments, two up and two downstairs. I could take my pick of whatever one I wanted and work on the others in exchange for rent. It was mostly paint, removing trash and fixing doors. My apartment had only one door in it and that was the bathroom. It did however have three exit doors. One into the front hall and stairs, one to the rear hall and one that opened to a set of stairs that came out at the center landing of the front stairs. The place was haunted, I was a disbeliever at first. I became at a gentile truce with them. The neatest thing I found was in my attic. I was following a power wire in the attic when I kicked a spot in the rough wood floor. Intrigued I examined the floor and found a door! Gently I lifted the trap door up thinking I was going to end up in the bedroom of the lower apartment. Instead it was a square space about three feet or one meter. Along the walls were wooden pegs all the way down to the floor below. I then realized they were steps and this was a room to hide escaped slaves. There was a door at the bottom that came out at the bottom of the stairs but it had been covered up at some time. I have many more tales about that old house but I must bid farewell for now. Cheers Terry
Hello, I would like to share with you my experiences when it comes to emptying monasteries and other holy places. In the 90s, I worked as a social worker for disabled people in a basilica in Belgium. At a certain point, the basilica had to be cleared to make room for the archives. During the clean-up, I found hundreds of similar brooches, machete buttons, and other relics that were already more than 100 years old at the time. And to add to your story, all these jewels were donations from people who had received the basilica, in your case the convent, for example for favors for themselves or family members. E.g. in case of illness, marriage counseling, healing, intercession in case of a miscarriage, etc. So they are not jewels worn by the nuns.
You are correct. A Sister or Nun would never have owned or worn a valuable cross or religious metal. The only exception, of which I am aware, would involve an Abbess or Prioress. On occasion, these women would have been given a valuable cross or religious medal, (as befitted her position in the church), in recognition of acts of holiness or service to the Order, or Church, by a higher level religious leader. This cross or medal would be worn under her habit, and never seen. In addition, depending on the rules of the Sister's or Nun's Order, a simple cross or medal could be gifted to a rank and file Sister or Nun on the occasion of religious significance. (For example, on an important anniversary of her taking her final vows. Or it might be in recognition of service or sacrifice.) This would also be worn out of sight. Another similar possibility would be small religious gifts given by her family, or by those for whom she ministered. These gifts might include a small religious statue or rosary. Usually she would only be allowed to keep the gift in her room. Again, not seen by others - as an act of humility. Upon her death, the gifts, (both valuable and simple), would be absorbed into the possessions of the Convent or Order. * All of this information is very broad. Each Order, Chapter House, and Covent followed the rules of their organization. * Rules for both Sisters and Nuns have relaxed over the last 70+/- years. I have written about the lives of female Religious prior to mid-1900.
Absolute vow of poverty. It was probably a privilege to fetch an item from the cupboard not to mention a glimpse of the beauty. The Mother Superior was in control of every inch and every soul within those walls.
Not sure if anyone commented on the last video to clarify… but the print with Mary, Joseph, & Jesus would be referred to as “The Holy Family” i.e. “La Sainte Famille.” As a Catholic, it is so interesting to see these discoveries you are making! Have you ever considered asking a Catholic historian to come interpret some of what you are finding? Or even consulting with someone who is Catholic who could provide you with the context/history of these religious artifacts? For example, the “cufflinks” you found are actually “collar buttons,” for a Roman collar. It keeps it in place. I would volunteer, but, unfortunately I’m across the pond.
Hadn’t read your comment before I posted mine. I am happy to help too. I would love to know which order the nuns/sisters were. Quite unusual just to abandon a convent.
You have a few volunteers to tell you what these Catholic items mean. God Bless your endeavors and your fathers too, and all who are helping make your abandoned convent renovated, restored to its pristine appearance, as much as it is feasible to do so. The film makers are doing an excellent job too. Thanks.
@@lillehus18 Thankyou sister. To this family of rennovaters : Yes, as sister here says here, please find out for your viewers what orders lived in your abandoned convent, many nuns/or sisters resided there over 250 years, and why did they leave, or did they die off or were they in the French Revolution and lost their lives or their convent, tragically? We would like to learn about its history too. Thousands of Catholics would be interested to hear what you've found out. Also, do you hope to sell the convent after you are finished renovating it ? What are your plans about it for the future? As you can see we have lots of questions, therefor lots of interest your videos.
@@bernitacenteno1326 I believe that they mentioned earlier on in the series that the nuns were older in age and it made more sense for them to be transferred to a newer motherhouse? Where they could be cared for as they continue to age? but, please @The Pethericks clarify this.
I would love to see the chapel turned back into a chapel. It could be rented out for weddings and have a B&B in the units in the hotel wing. Get a local marble craftsman to restore/rebuild the altar. You might also consider inviting back some of the nuns who used to live there to interview them for their memories of the place. They might have insight on to the stranger aspects of the place and you would probably learn a whole lot about the history of the place.
Being a nun myself and familiar with the customs of many of them more than likely they put the religious articles, the medals and the crucifixes in the attic to ward off fire. This is not superstition as the images are sacramentals.. Also keep on the lookout for Palm Sunday palms. Rednun.
@Jersey Belle from MarvaHoeckelman. Sacramentals are religious articles that have been blessed by a priest with a special prayer of the Church for the purpose of keeping a person close to God and the saints. Religious articles include but are not limited to religious statues, medals, pictures, rosaries, crucifixes. In the video in question I saw medals containing images of the Virgin Mary and small crucifixes.
That jewelry should be preserved. I hope it's not thrown away. Maybe donated to a museum or other catholic church. It can be mounted in a shadow box. What a great find.
that wall paper is stunning. I was just going to say get them reproduced, when you said the same thing. I would buy any of them, they are all so beautiful. I am so glad you appreciate antiques and old things.
The sign with the sacred heart says "Domine Salva nos Terinnis" which is "Lord save us by the Three" Maybe "by the Trinity" or referring to the Holy Family or Holy 3" "Vive Jésus" "Long Live Jesus" "Arréte Le Coeur De Jésus Est La" "Stop the heart of Jesus is here" "Il N'est Qu'Amour Et Misericorde" "There is only love and mercy" "Garde D'Honneur Du Sacre Coeur" "Sacred Heart Honor Guard". This a badge of the Honor Guard of the Sacred Heart founded in 1863 at the Visitation of Holy Mary at Bourg-en-Bresse, France. This is a group of men or women usually in a monastic community early on but now open to all Catholics who ensure there is always at least one member of the Honor Guard in prayer, reverence and adoration before the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This tradition sought to emulate the vigil at the cross of Mary, John and Mary Magdalene. This included several groups some who offered a hour of prayer, those who accepted trials, humiliations and "little crosses" or carrying a burden. Prayers are often said on behalf of friends and family who are not believers to bring them to the mercy of God. The very bottom says "Parce Domine 5 fois" "Parce Domine x 5 times" Parce Domine is a ritual chant it goes "Spare Lord, spare your people: Be not angry with us forever." and "Divin Coeur De Jesus 5 fois" "Divine Heart of Jesus x 5 times" The Prayer of the Divine Heart of Jésus "O Divine Heart of Jesus, grant I pray Thee, eternal rest to the Souls in Purgatory, the final grace to those who are about to die this day, true repentance to sinners, the light of faith to pagans, and Thy blessing to me and to all who are dear to me. To Thee, therefore, O Most Merciful Heart of Jesus, I commend all these souls, and in their behalf I offer unto Thee all Thy merits of Thy Most Blessed Mother and of all the Angels and Saints, together with all the Masses, Communion, prayers and good works which this day are being offered throughout Christendom. O Most Holy Heart of Jesus, shower Thy blessings in abundant measure upon all the clergy; to the just grant perseverance; convert sinners; enlighten unbelievers; bless our relations, friends and benefactors; assist the dying; deliver the Holy Souls in Purgatory; and extend over all hearts the sweet empire of Thy love. Amen." So it is a guide to prayer giving two prayers to be repeated 5 times each in an hour of prayer in the adoration of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
@Harlowe’s Adventure Thank you for all the translating you did on the picture of the Sacred Heart. The only suggestion I have is that what you read as “Terinnis” is actually “Perimus”. It is hard to make it out. I had to take a screenshot of it and then zoom in on the word, then looked up its meaning. I did study Latin in school but that was 60 years ago. 🙂 The verse is taken from Matthew 8:25 where the apostles beg Jesus to save them from the storm and means “Lord, save us we are perishing”.
@@ruthmaryrose Absolutely possible! I was really unsure about that bit when I translated it as that part was really hard to read. I didn't have time to do much more than I did with reading it out in French and translating to English.
Billy, I would imagine the Order which still exists near Toronto, Canada, might be a repository of the history of the Convent. They have their own website. I would assume when the Order left France, as much of their records that could be managed went with them. This is such a fantastic adventure that the entire world is looking over your shoulder as all the nooks and crannies are again brought to the viewing world. Something that few ever had that level of discovery into the old world Nunnery.
I found a letter addressed to Religieuses Hospitalieres de saint joseph in Montreal, coincidentally its the same name as the convent i own so possibly its the same order which left france?
@@ThePethericks 100% contact The order, Nuns generally Kept excellent & detailed Paperwork and information, quite often they did most of the letters and logs for the Local Priest as well. You never know what History you will turn up, and maybe a visit from the Order? How amazing would that be.
You will be discovering things for a long time to come. I for one am very excited to be a long on this journey with you guys. Thank you for sharing your beautiful convent with us Billy.
How exciting! Like you said “If these walls could talk!” I feel the same about my family’s Century farm ( Homesteaded by my greatx3 grandparents in 1837. I walk the 270+ acres, 80% woods now. I have 3 White Oak trees that are 175 years +, and two over 200 years old. I sit under the one I am able to access and imagine my ancestors walking by this very tree. History, whether it’s sad, violent ( a lot of U.S. Civil war 1860’s in this area), happy or peaceful; it’s all intriguing to me. You’re saving another historical building, and that’s a beautiful thing😊
Great little find with the bits and bobs. The apartment is going to be so nice. I would not take out the glass above the door, frost it so you still get light but have privacy you want. Congratulations on hitting over 100 thousand subscribers. well done
When I attended Catholic boarding school the nuns used to keep little collections of religious medals and odd pieces of jewelry. They weren't allowed to keep much in personal possessions so I guess these trinkets were very important to them. I would frame them and the bits of wallpaper with the history behind them. Makes for great artwork and some lovely stories for the convent.
The sisters would give us students medals as a prize for doing well in a test for example. If these sisters were nursing sisters they might use the medals to pin to a patients clothing as a reminder of blessing & protection. ~ Once a nursing Sister too! Really love this restoration.
The jewelry could have been things that the young women had when they came into the convent life and gave them to the mother superior. Thanks for sharing. God bless.
Also, those gold studs, I think are collar studs. When you had removable collars on shirts (or old style nurses uniforms and maybe the habits worn by nuns perhaps?) you had studs like these to attach the starched collar to the outfit. Love the channel by the way and can't wait to see how the convent projects develops.
That was exactly my thought. With detachable clerical collars you normally have a stud on the back and one in the front. The larger part goes through a slit in the shirt and sits close to the neck with the smaller end of the stud through the collar. Lengths of the studs look about right too (short one on the front, longer in back as it has two ends of the collar overlapping).
Billy ( I’m sure Qwen will know the below 👇) Religious orders IE - priest or a Nun would Never have used Gold in this way. For sure The Catholic Church has many beautiful Gold Relic’s & items. The Nuns would have absolutely knew exactly how to find them. Personally I think they are gold Communion Pins (For Boys)= large front piece with a small pin & a keeper at the rear. This is completely in keeping with the age and size. There is no significant age to the 2 pieces from the video IMO, I saw many of these in the early to Mid 1970s. The other items are Generally called A Holy Medal, depending on the Design front & back probably the most well known is a “St Christopher” . However there are several others ie- Lourdes Apparition Medal, Virgin Mary Medal, St Benedict Medal, Our Lady of Lourdes, St Bernadette, Sacred Heart Of Jesus, Divine Mercy, St Michael, St Philomena, St Joseph, St Martin, St Jude, Our Lady Of Perpetual Help, Guardian Angel, Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Then the one that is generally given to children at Holy Communion is the Chalice Medal which most Convents schools would give to each child completing their Holy Communion every year. Last but not least is The Miraculous Medal which originated in Paris in 1832 & is Still Today one of the most popular Medals with over a Billion copies. Hope the above 👆 Helps you with your research.
I would feel like a queen sleeping in a room covered in that blue wallpaper...The color and designs are stunning...so is the other one with the gold patterns...absolutely breathtaking...They deserve to be reproduced and shown off all over entire walls displaying their beauty. Brought out into the light and decorating the rooms of the convent. Beautiful creativity enhancing rooms that were dedicated to God's glory.
Добрый день! Мне очень нравится, что вы все сохраняете, восстанавливаете и бережете. Вы очень трудолюбивый человек. Я рада, что у вас есть свой замок. Такие люди, как вы должны жить в своих дворцах и замках🥰
We really are enjoying the convent videos! Love how that beautiful building has stood the test of time protected by that 60s?70s? Inner shell Can’t wait to see you peel back the layers and expose its beauty and secrets. Billy your love and respect of these old buildings and things shines through and for us like minded people s joy to watch! Many thanks for filming these! 🤗❤️🇨🇦
I love the bell tower! Finding the jewelry in the attic...WOW! And your already working on the first apartment! The travertine will be really nice! Cannot wait to see the progress! Well done Billy!!!
I’ve only just found you Chanel. I love the convent… such a beautify building and it seems to have a lovely chilled atmosphere. ( apart from when you talk about ghosts lol ). I think that courtyard you make a lovely courtyard garden with a trickling fountain… bliss!
I found you just yesterday and I'm hooked! I love old buildings with rich history and the very fact that you and your family buy and restore! That's like saving our history, thank you! Now back to watching your channel!
Well Billy, this Wallpaper is so fantastically vivid in Color, sumptuous and simply spectacular! Maybe contact a museum, cause to have the wallpaper in such pure state must be rare! I mean, there was no sunlight waste ever. I imagine my self being obliged to stay in the secret room for some days, weeks, maybe more...? Lots to look at ! The 18 K gold 'buttons' are Shirtbuttons (neck) rather than Cufflinks. What a lovely discovery! - The Travertine floor will look really great! Thank you Billy for your update and have a great week! ...all of you! ; ))
After watching a few of these videos about the convent, I'm subscribing to your channel! Just a few comments: 1. When the structure was deconsecrated, the bells would be removed as part of the process. Bells that are used in churches and other Roman Catholic structures are all blessed, so each peal of the bell is like a prayer being sent out for all who can hear it. Since the structure was converted to "profane" (i.e., "common" or "non-sacramental") use, any blessed or sacramental object would need to be removed, if possible. This would include the blessed bells. There is anecdotal evidence from exorcists that the demons that have possessed people hate and fear the sound of blessed bells, and will react *strongly* when exposed to the peals of blessed bells, but not at all to the sound of un-blessed bells, even if those bells are used in a church setting (albeit one that is not Catholic). 2. You have evidence that people have been partying there in the garden; given the state of the world it's very possible that someone, just for kicks, engaged in "unwholesome behavior" inside different parts of the convent. (I'm trying to keep this comment family-friendly.) I would recommend that after you have cleaned up the grounds and the interior so you can be certain there are no more hidden spaces, you arrange with the local church to have a priest or priests go through and bless the entire structure, the grounds and rooms. 3. A majority of the "trinkets, bits, and bobs" you found in the attic are actually religious medallions and saint's medals. I noticed at least 2 "Miraculous Medals" in your find. All of these things may not have much monetary value in and of themselves, but they can have great value to Catholics, especially if you can get them dated to a particular year or manufactured in a particular place.
It does look like you might have saint relics in with the medals. Not that I think he would do it intentionally, but please be respectful to those items that you found in the attic. Very good chances are that they are blessed. If you could check with an area religious, they can let you know how to properly dispose of them. They’ll let you know what can be sold and how it can be sold if you decide not to keep them. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing all this valuable information about the Catholic Church etc. I am Catholic and didn't know about Priest Rooms until someone posted they thought that was what the Hidden Room was. Then Billy found Medallions and Saint Medals. I recognized immediately they were Catholic and it lined up they had to quickly had to hide those along with the Priest. Such fascinating history. Billy, any chance you would be willing to consult with an Historian familiar with the time of this building was built etc?
I really like the new tile flooring you chose. Beautiful! In my opinion, I think you should keep the transom window above the apartment door. Historically, operable transom windows played a role in the heating and cooling of a building. It also adds charm since they aren't seen much these days. As you're concerned about privacy from the nearby stairwell, get creative with an elegant fabric curtain or perhaps louvers or blinds that the occupant could open or close. Just my two cents... Best of luck on your new property. I'm sure the renovation will be an adventure!
I know you could find an accordian fan or two at Asian stores... or just find your favorite seamster and have him/her design one to fit the window... or just use some glass paint and make it look like stained glass. Whatever you decide, be very careful. Glass is a liquid, so over the years it drips down and the bottom gets thicker, while the top edges become very thin and fragile...the older the glass, the more pronounced the effect...
Openable transoms above interior doors were banned in the US after the Winecoff Hotel fire of 1946 (in Atlanta), during which open transom windows had allowed fire to pass from the corridors into the rooms. They might have been banned in other countries too.
I am inspired by you Billy and the rest of your family ~ I have a 3 bedroom semi to renovate and moved here in 2019 ~ I am woman alone so I am getting help from friends and other when I can afford work done. Thanks for showing us what you are doing you literally keep me going on my simple mission......which is daunting at times......but all is progress as I am creating a vegetable garden etc
Congrats on 103K subscribers....and on another fascinating video. Perhaps a metal detector would be fun to run over those attic floorboards...I wondered if pieces would have fallen through the rather wide gaps? Plus just fun to search for other treasures!
That is like a real treasure room! The wallpapers are indeed magnificent! So many ideas come to mind regarding the designs. I would love to see the cupboard moved out and enjoyed. It is truly lovely! Billy you are awesome! Congratulations on reaching 103K subscribers!
Glad we finally got to see the apartment again, Sadie did tease you would fill us in on what was happening. Michael will have to watch out with how quickly the subscribers are jumping .... fantastic to see 👏
It is so fun to tag along to find and see what y'all are doing there. Being in the U.S. people have no idea what "old" really is and this set of buildings (and grounds) you are renovating is fascinating to watch.
They could have an idea if they kept things and kept them up instead of abandoning, trashing and/or bulldozing them. The US is older than many countries now in the UN, and even much older if you count the former colonies, and still older to downright ancient if you count indigenous populations. Which we should do, and not allow the government to let corporations continue to take over and desecrate the few bits of territory recognized by treaty as inalienably theirs.
@@cathjj840 Are you KIDDING me?!? You must not be up on HISTORY of the WORLD. Yes, the North American Continent has had indigenous people for thousands of years. SO HAS THE EUROPEAN LAND MASS! Stonehenge dates at approximately 2500 BC. Egypt's Giza Pyramid is estimated at 4500 years old. So let's not get on a high horse about who and what is older. You mentioned "the colonies" - the first American colony was established in 1607. Contrast that with the first English monarch that reigned from 807-839. Little bit older unless you just can't seem to do the math here...
OH Billy what fun! 103K followers is amazing and I am so glad I have been watching your entire adventure to date. I would love to see the jewels put into a shadow box and hung for people to view. They should be hung in a place of honor as they may have been jewels the nuns gave up when they entered the order. So Stephanie went to a place where they make elaborate wallpaper and I think they reproduce it. She may have some ideas for you where to get the reproductions done if Michael does not want to do it. It's amazing you are already getting into the renovations. Hope everything goes well and what you are envisioning comes to full fruition. Such a monumental task.
Nuns would pin their medals under their habits. The long black robe would cover it. I'm Catholic. All my education was in Catholic schools taught by nuns and priests. Sometimes they would attach a lot of the small ones onto a safety pin and pin them onto their upper garments ( under their shirt)
I absolutely LOVE that first wallpaper with the gold on it (the panel above the blue metallic panel). I would just love to have that reproduced. OMG I just love it. Sorry for being silly …it’s just so beautiful
Wow! That little room was amazing! And the bell tower, so interesting to see how it's built, fantastic! Can't wait to see what's uncovered in the back garden, and watch the first apartment come together!
I love your little treasure trove. It reminds me of some of the stuff my mom had. Glad that you are still having fun and find things exciting around the convent!
I’m loving discovering the hidden parts of the convent along with you. Sadie and Mo’s apartment is coming along nicely. I hope they get the nice kitchen that they deserve - it’s the heart of the home after all. I’m sure Olivia will be excited to be in town with her friends and an easy walk to school. Sadie will be so busy between the apartment, Udea, Queenie and Elsa. I’m so happy for her to be able to ride again. She is so lovely with the animals and Mo is a gem. Love the Petherick family!
Ohhh, I just found your channel, with the video of when you got the keys. I had to go back to find others of the convention (Edited to fix *convent - autocorrect and I have a love hate relationship lol) but I'm still working my way through now! I'm hoping I can join for the live tomorrow, but I'm working on some stuff myself then, so I may have to watch it after. How exciting that there's jewelry in the attic. I can't wait to see what it all looks like, and if you discover the history of it!
If you look back at the history of the Catholic Church in England and France, it would almost be ingrained behavior to have hiding places built into a new church and convent construction. They were a known source of gold, gems, and other treasures. Their history had Viking and brigand raids and pillages. The French Revolution, WW1, the Nazis in WW2 , all these major events that saw the building viewed as nothing more than big Piggy banks, waiting to be broken. Love the mystery of your newest project Billy. I am sure it is haunted, but I know you are doing your very best to stay respectful to the property, and that is key. I know it may feel silly, but announcing yourself on occasion and recognizing them as friendly custodians will make some of the creepiness go away. under NO circumstance sould you allow amateur ghost hunters go in and be disrespectful and never, everever use a Ouija board. I've always felt deconsecrated churches and such were more ripe for negative entities. Have a local pastor come in and bless each building would also bring some harmony to the project. Best of luck!
Having a priest bless the convent is respectful and wise precaution.There is a long history of highly charged spirituality in the convent; 'heaven only knows' what may have happened there over so many years. Contact a local parish priest, and/or the Archdiocese of that area. I'm sure they will help you with specific questions regarding Convent customs and traditions, as well as perhaps having historical documents. * I am a retired researcher for Archaeology and Historical Preservation projects in the U.S. I am absolutely green with envy about your endeavor!
Morning Billy, what an interesting video. That is an amazing Convent, so big. The bell tower sure is magnificent. As you say, a pity about the bell, maybe later on you can do a fund raising in the Courtyard to be able to buy a bell for replacement. It would benefit all. The wall paper is jaw dropping beautiful. Such splendour. the jewellery was an amazing discovery. I am sure if you can get it cleaned up and maybe placed inside a box frame with a light inside, it would display everything beautifully, that is after Gwendoline or other family members found in interest. Remember the Nuns were very humble woman, no luxuries and no airs and graces for show! Hopefully you will find other priceless items,, you could show them off in the Library. Take care, all the very best, kind regards.
It’s so lovely to see the red roses blooming in the courtyard and the white roses in the garden! The whole place is really coming back to life as you peel back the layers. I really liked the suggestion of another commenter to try to fix the warped door by laying on wet grass with heavy cement blocks on top. Couldn’t hurt to try and then you could save money fitting a new door. I also was thinking about the transom above the door. To keep the aesthetic perhaps the glass could be frosted to allow light through and maintain privacy. The glass could be covered in the sticky faux frosting. From down below it wouldn’t be noticeable that it’s just a sticker. Thanks for the weekly updates! It’s thrilling from a historical and renovation standpoint!
🎉 Team Transom 🎉! My family's mcm home has amber bubble glass above our bedroom doors. ☀️ It really helped bring additional light into otherwise darkly wooded mahogany panelled craftsman style inspired rooms. 🤦♀️ If privacy is a concern, etching solution to frost (or obscure) is easy to apply. As a single woman, I also feel 💯% more comfortable having clerestory windows for extra lighting (& ventilation). Far less worries about some nightstalker👿 dragging over a ladder🪜 to murder me in my sleep 😴💤 . Also ♻️ Team Sustainability 🌎 ! It certainly seems worth the effort to try to bend it back. If not, reuse the door🚪for a table top. 🛠Or, perhaps it could work in a mudroom entry of some sort as a hall tree for 🧢hats, 🧥coats, 🎒bags, &🧣 scarves. 💚 Bridget from Cali ☘️ (using my pal's YT acct)
What a dream it would be to come help with this transformation. I know it’s a huge project but it is absolutely captivating! If you ever decide to look for volunteers, I am all in! 🙋🏼♀️
The small items with the eagles head on them are shirt studs. You will find that they have 2 halves that screw together with the smaller face having mother of pearl or some other decorative material. I have a dress shirt and a couple of sets of studs. In an ecclesiastical setting, the priest’s dog collar may have used a stud to enable the wearer to attach it to the shirt or undergarment.
What an incredible find in the attic. The wallpapers in the secret room are amazing. I wonder what company made them and in what century? The apartment floor will definitely look better if it all matches. Looking forward to seeing the progress. Thanks for sharing 😍😘
The place looks amazing what a transformation from when you first obtained the property. That wallpaper is exquisite in that small room that you and your dad discovered Billy! Maybe in your visits to various antique shops or estate sales you can obtain a bell to replace the other one that would be lovely! See you again next Sunday Cheers
The first thing I thought when seeing the wallpapers was that they could be recreated. It would be nice to do some select rooms with the wallpapers. One can even have fabrics, carry all bags, pillows, wrapping paper, hats, aprons, anything done! How exciting and beautiful! The religious jewelry... hmmm...was it given for various achievements? I wonder if someone found it in the rooms and put it all together. You could have the crosses etc. reproduced and sell with your webstore eventually ! More finds will come, I'm sure. I am wondering where burials were placed, especially early on? In a cemetery nearby? In the Chapel grounds? Most likely inside the courtyard? Would be fascinating to find out. Perhaps the church in Paris has those records, or the town? I've wondered the same with LaLande and Basmagnier. You definitely need some peacocks in the courtyard! 💗
the hidden room is amazing the wallpaper is stunning and I really hope you are able to restore it, so beautiful. The nuns probably hide to hide valuables, such as gold chalices and other holy relics to keep them safe from theft perhaps. What an amazing adventure you have a head of you, though I realize all the hard work you are putting into saving a beautiful piece of history:)
This is truly a wonderful set of clips. I cannot stop watching. I can't help but wonder how many nuns locked away naughty heathen children in those secret hidden rooms?
So amazing to find the jewelry. Ties to their life before taking vow of poverty. What wondereous stories they could tell. Who knows what other treasures are to be found! Thank you.
A lot getting done. You can take warped wood and lay it horizontally but slightly elevated over a area of wet grass. As the wood absorbs the moisture it will straighten. You can use weights to help with a really warped piece. We used to do this to repair antique furniture that warped from improper storage.
You're doing an amazing job! First all that overgrown mess outside and now the renovations to the interiors. Bringing something special back to life. Bravo. Keep up the good work!
The wallpaper is really beautiful. As for the trinkets: What an exciting find, even if it's not valuable. Maybe those were left behind by those who passed away. Or given the plastic bag they were in they might have been nicked by somebody who hid them there. You are surrounded by so many stories :)
It would be usual to keep religious medals etc. They are usually of little value but have been blessed. So you don’t just throw them away. Pretty sure many convents will have a tin of these somewhere. I know we do here in Bedfordshire UK.
Just fascinating, Billy. Love thinking about the stories that have been shared within all those walls. What will you do with those trinkets? A display, maybe? Please keep sharing.
Ahh! I love this! Thank you so much for documenting this for all to see! I like how respectful you are of the space and that you want to preserve everything! Not too many people left like that and I absolutely appreciate it! I’m so glad I came across your channel!
Love this 💜 I really did wanna see if there was anything behind that cupboard in the hidden room. I wonder if you'll find more! I'd be inspecting absolutely everything. Also love that you're aiming to preserve a lot and do it justice where it's due
Wow! Some a amazing finds. I love that you appreciate the old wallpapers - you've even caused me to appreciate them more. I wonder why the jewelry wasn't hidden in the secret room with the cupboard? I love the natural stone floor tile you have chosen. Thanks for continuing to share your fascinating videos, Billy! What an adventure!
The wallpaper is beautiful and reproducing it would be a great idea. I recently visited an exhibition in Edinburgh on The history of wallpaper and William Morris in particular. It was fascinating. The style of your wallpaper was well represented, vibrant colours, florals with gold detailing. It would be really interesting to research the paper to see if it was from any of the famous French wallpaper companies. Maybe a task and a vlog for Michael in the future! The tiny little medallions you found , I couldn’t see clearly but they might be what we used to call ‘miraculous medals’ and they were given out on particular saint’s days to children by the priest. Don’t remember if you had to have been good to get one !! Great vlog, Billy, the convent project is making for super content 👍
