The restoration of the more than a century-old Our Lady of Refuge Church building in Viriyur in Kallakurichi district by the Puducherry chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has earned recognition in the national-level competition conducted by the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO).
The HUDCO Design Awards were given under the category of Conservation of Heritage. The church restoration project came second among three winners.
“The restoration of the church was entrusted with INTACH and the work was completed in 2019. The rafters in the roof were damaged due to water seepage and cracks had also developed in the chancel rooms. The project included the replacement of doors and windows and replastering of the walls. Cracks and flakings found in the paintings and the interior wall of the bell tower were also repaired,” according to A. Arul, chief architect, INTACH.
