Paris1972-Versailles2003

Let me bring you to an off the beaten path in my eternal Paris but a must to visit for many, . This is a church with a lot of history in Paris that many do not know even if it is in prime area near the Pont de l’Alma and the Avenue des Champs Elysées on Avenue George V !!! However, as a resident/citizen I did visit many times while working in Paris and living in Versailles. Even in group events of the Franco-American community of Paris, We do come to Paris , and one of the thing to do is to see these wonderful monuments for the architecture and history and glorious walks. Therefore, let me tell you about the American Cathedral of the Holy Trinity of Paris !!! Just call it the American Cathedral. Hope you enjoy the post as I.

The  American Cathedral of Paris, as said been several times and even had meetings of the Franco-American community here. Many nice memories of events within over the early years in France ,and got to know many compatriots living here even since 1951 !!! The American Cathedral of the Holy Trinity is an American church dating from the end of the 19C of the Anglican cult and serving as the Cathedral of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe of the Episcopal Church of the United States.  It is located wonderfully at  23, avenue George-V near the Champs-Élysées and Pont de l’Alma in the 8éme arrondissement. 

The origins dates back to the 1830s when American Episcopalians began to meet together for services in the garden pavilion of the Hôtel Matignon, now the official residence of the French prime minister, then the home of American expatriate Colonel Herman Thorn.  In 1859, the formal establishment of a parish took place and in 1864 the first church building was consecrated on Rue Bayard . The Consecration of the church took place on Thanksgiving Day on November 25, 1886, which coincided with the dedication of the Statue of Liberty in New York. Holy Trinity became a cathedral in 1922, continuing as a parish church and also serving as the official seat of the bishop in charge of Episcopal churches in Europe.  At its current location it was built from 1881 on a Neo Gothic style under the plans of English architect George Edmund Street, and opened in 1886.  It was later completed by the addition of a arrow tower designed between 1904-1906 by Arthur Edmond Street, son of the original architect that had passed away. Later in  1911 was added a presbytery. The American Cathedral is 144,5 meters long by 21 meters wide and 17,5 meters high with a 16.5 meters high chancel! The interior of the cathedral contains many more interesting features. Among these are the 42 stained glass windows created between 1883 and 1893 by the Bell and Beckman workshop in London. Each window illustrates a section of the Te Deum Laudamus and beautifully stands out against the surrounding stone and marble.

The cloister is very impressive, not for its size but for its symbolic value. It was designed as a memorial to the American soldiers and civilians who were killed during WWI. The American Ambassador in France Myron Herricks and Marshal Foch dedicated it on May 30, 1923 in the presence of President of France Raymond Poincaré. Seven commemorative marble slabs are affixed on the wall separating the cloister from the cathedral. The French Foreign Minister and the American Ambassador in France unveiled them on June 24, 1994. The artist Rudi Bass created these slabs in order to commemorate all civilian and military victims, of all nationalities, who died during WWII. You’ll find the entrance to the cathedral by the Cloister I found me some older pictures new to the blog and they should be in so here they are, glad found them as been several times here….

In an inclusive approach, the American Cathedral of the Holy Trinity is open to all beliefs, cultures and languages. It brings together nearly 400 permanent parishioners and students, tourists and business travelers. Including Americans, French, and Britons as well as many other Europeans, Asians, Africans and Latin Americans, all of many denominations. The LGBTQ+ community is particularly welcome and encouraged to be actively involved in the life of the church.

You have many concerts held here that are nice indeed; and well located to do all the good things you all enjoy of Paris. The events can be arranged by the affiliated group Les Arts George V The American Cathedral can serve to host meetings, events etc with several rooms such as the Narthex, Garden & Cloister, Garden Class room, Fleetwood, Level 2 library, Level 0 Parish Hall, level 1 production room, Grande Nef, and level 2 crypt, The American Cathedral was renovated especially the tower and the stained glass by a donation from the US base World Monument Fund.

The official American Cathedral of Paris: https://amcathparis.com/

The events organiser affiliate group Les Arts George V : http://www.lagv.org/en/

The Friends of the American Cathedral of Paris : https://americancathedralfoundation.org/

The Paris tourist office on the American Cathedral: https://en.parisinfo.com/paris-museum-monument/71165/The-American-Cathedral-in-Paris

There you go folks, something different from your regular visits to our beautiful Paris, eternal and well beyond words . Of course, the cathedral can be visited in off service hours, It is a nice off the beaten path site to do , the American Cathedral of Paris, Again, I hope you have enjoyed the post as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!