C O N T E X T 1 5 0 : J U L Y 2 0 1 7 29 The courtyard of St Mary’s Church and its extension in 2015 after the ground floor had been reconstructed (Photo: Ataa Alsalloum) St Mary’s Church in 2015 (Photo: Ataa Alsalloum) In 2015, when fighting in several parts of Homs, including in Al Hamidia district, died down, a few families returned to the neighbourhood to check their houses and other properties. The restoration work was started in the church of St Mary with extensive efforts by local community volunteers and local skilled workers. Some of the workers were the descendants of the builders of 1852. The work started from the inside, by supporting the old pillars and vaults, then turned to the roofs and finally the facades.The remains of the previous black stones were used in addition to available building materials such as bricks. An extension to the church was built to accommodate a number of young priests who supervised the work. A detail of a painting of Christ in St Mary’s Church after reconstruction in 2015, following serious damage (Photo: Ataa Alsalloum)
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