Chuches in Paris: American Cathedral in Paris

During Year 4 here in Paris, we have attended the American Cathedral in Paris, an Episcopal church in the 8th arrondissement.  The church's formal name is the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity.

A congregation of American Episcopalians was formed in Paris in the 1830's.  A small church was built in 1864.  As the congregation grew, a large church, the American Cathedral, was built.  It opened in 1886.  The architectural style of the church is Gothic Revival. 

Below is a painting of the exterior of the American Cathedral.

Après l'Office à l'Église de la Sainte-Trinité, Noël 1890 ("After the Service at Holy Trinity Church, Christmas 1890") by Jean Béraud

During Year 4, we have attended regular services and special events at the American Cathedral, as featured in the rest of this blog post.

At the first service we attended, we were fortunate to meet then-Bishop Pierre Whalon, who welcomed us to Paris and the cathedral.

One rare event that we attended was the ordination of a new bishop of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe.  The American Cathedral in Paris is part of the Convocation.  The ordination entailed several festive events that were well-attended by Episcopalians from Europe and the U.S.

Outgoing Bishop Pierre Whalon (purple shirt), Presiding Bishop Michael Curry (magenta shirt) and incoming Bishop Mark Edington (behind Curry)

What made the event special for us was seeing several wonderful friends from our church in Florence, Italy--St. James--which is also part of the Convocation.  The rector of St. James, Mark Dunnam, led the search for the new bishop and spoke at a reception.  His talk was insightful, provocative and charming.

Mark Dunnam

During the ordination, Michael Curry (the same Bishop who co-officiated the Prince Harry/Meghan  Markle wedding) delivered an inspiring homily.  

Much later in the year, we attended another special event at the American Cathedral -- a poetry reading.  Michael Edwards, an Anglo-French poet and scholar, read from his recent collection Brasserie Lipp.  We enjoyed listening to his poems and the accompanying discussion.  Edwards is a unique individual: he is a member of both the Académie Française (the French language "police") and the Collège de France. (France's prestigious academic research institution).   To be an English man (not French) and earn both appointments is extraordinary.  

Michael Edwards

The poetry reading included a musical introduction and finale.

Another special event was Palm Sunday.  The event started in a park next to the Seine, while the Paris marathon was being run.  We then walked to the church and were greeted by a bagpiper.

We received a customary palm frond.

Marie-Chantal with her palm frond

During this recent holiday season, the church was beautifully decorated for Christmas.  

Thanks for visiting the American Cathedral in Paris with us.

P.S.  During Year 5, we hope to learn how to take good selfies!