The American Cathedral in Paris – Cathedral of the Holy Trinity
It’s impossible to miss the imposing 85-metre spire of the American Cathedral in Paris, which towers above the other buildings on Avenue George V.
Officially called the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, this Anglican Episcopal church is a place of worship for many Americans living in Paris, and also welcomes visitors of all nationalities and faiths.
The origins of the American Cathedral in Paris date back to the 19th century, when the American Anglican community residing in the capital sought a place of worship.
The modest church built on Rue Bayard in 1864, however, quickly became too small to serve the growing American community.
A new, larger church was needed!
The rector at the time thus purchased a plot of land on Avenue George V and commissioned the renowned architect George Edmund Street to design the new church.
The result was the magnificent Church of the Holy Trinity, consecrated on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1886, a date that coincided with the inauguration of the Statue of Liberty in New York.
In 1922, the church obtained the status of cathedral and was designated a historical monument.
As soon as you step through the imposing porch of the American Cathedral in Paris, you will be impressed by its elegant neo-Gothic architecture.
The Jardin du Doyen (Dean’s Garden) is bordered by the arcades of the Cloister.
This intimate space exudes a serenity reminiscent of a country monastery, offering a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of Paris and is ideal for hosting outdoor receptions during the warmer months.
The Cloister was inaugurated on May 30, 1923, by American Ambassador Myron Herricks and Marshal Foch, in the presence of President Raymond Poincaré.
It became a memorial dedicated to American soldiers and civilians, who perished during the First and Second World Wars. It houses seven marble slabs adorned with commemorative inscriptions, the work of artist Rudi Bass, unveiled on June 24, 1994, by the French Minister of Foreign Affairs and the American Ambassador.
The entrance to the cathedral is located in the cloister corridor.
You will also be impressed by the exceptional dimensions of the American Cathedral in Paris: 144.5 metres long, 21 metres wide, and 17.5 metres high, with a 16.5-m-high chancel.
The church has retained its original religious furnishings: baptismal font, ironwork, chandeliers, lectern, and pulpit, all in perfect harmony with the Neo-Gothic architecture.
Between 1883 and 1893, the renowned London workshop of Bell and Beckman created the 42 stained-glass windows renowned for their vibrant colours and intricate designs; each window depictis a passage from the Te Deum Laudamus.
The American Cathedral in Paris is ideally located near iconic landmarks such as the Champs-Elysées, the Louis Vuitton flagship store, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Flame of Liberty-Princess Diana Memorial on Place de l’Alma.
Directions: 8th district – No. 23 Avenue George V
Metro: George V on Line 1 or Alma on Line 9
Coordinates: Lat 48.866909 – Long 2.301016
