American Church in Paris

Thanks to the help provided by France during the creation of the United States of America, many Americans came to France to study, work, or trade in the early 19th century.

In 1814, American Protestants in Paris gathered in houses around the city, and then at the Temple of the Oratory of the Louvre from 1816 under the protection of Talleyrand. The first American chapel was built in 1857 at 21, Rue de Berri. It was in 1858 that Emperor Napoleon III officially recognized the American Church of Paris.

In 1925, the church acquired land on the Quai d’Orsay and entrusted the architect Carrol Greenough with the construction of a large neo-Gothic building. The construction of the building was completed on March 6, 1931, although a groundbreaking ceremony (laying of the foundation stone) took place on March 1, 1926.

The American Church in Paris then became an interdenominational association open to all believers adhering to the historic Christian tradition as expressed by the Apostles' Creed. It is mainly frequented by American expatriates, but also by English speakers from other countries and other religious communities.

The American Church in Paris is still frequented by English-speaking Protestants from Paris hailing from 40 countries and belonging to 35 different Christian denominations. It offers a multicultural program to its congregation. The service is led by a senior pastor, an associate pastor, and a youth pastor. A specific pastor takes care of wedding celebrations. The denominations of the different church staff members are also very diverse. It is governed by a council represented by a ministry committee: communication, life and community, Christian education, development and cleanliness, finance and administration, human resources, members and evangelism, social aid, worship, and music.

The church buildings host two bilingual preschools, fitness, kung fu, and basketball groups, free concerts, as well as a small ads board and other community services.

Joseph Wilson Cochran created a rich iconography for a reformed church. The north windows and those of the narthex are all the same size. Some stained glass designs pay tribute to American soldiers who fell during World War I. The organ case is adorned with Gothic sculptures by Günther Hamann, completed after 900 hours of work. The organ has four keyboards and 3,375 pipes made by the Beckerath factory in Hamburg, Germany; it was inaugurated during a concert series from October 7 to 9, 1988.

The chapel features a painting by the Canadian Frank M. Armington, titled "Christ Contemplating Jerusalem." It was originally placed behind the Holy Table but was moved to make room for the organ.