Nestled in a quiet garden near Les Invalides is the Église Luthérienne Saint-Jean. This charming Neo-Gothic church holds a unique story. The Église Luthérienne Saint-Jean isn’t just a beautiful building. It’s a testament to the generosity of one man, Denis Büchler. He was a landscape architect who lived on this very spot with his siblings. Upon his death in 1890, Büchler bequeathed his property to the Lutheran church. This generous act paved the way for the church’s construction.
The Église Luthérienne Saint-Jean was built between 1910 and 1911. The architects, Achille-Henri Chauquet and Jean Naville, designed it in the Neo-Gothic style Büchler desired. The church was inaugurated on February 26, 1911. Inside, the wooden ceiling resembles an inverted ship’s hull. The choir boasts stained glass by a Scottish artist, James Eadie-Reid. These windows depict the appearance of Christ at the Sea of Tiberias. They were a gift from Pastor Henri Bach, his wife, and her sister in 1912. The side windows and a Scandinavian triptych behind the altar add to the church’s international Lutheran character.
The Église Luthérienne Saint-Jean also houses a Cavaillé-Coll Mutin organ. This magnificent instrument is used for services and concerts, filling the sanctuary with rich sounds. The church is part of the Église Protestante Unie de France and the Fédération Protestante de France. Its diverse parish includes around 230 families. These families come from various backgrounds, including French, German, Swedish, Finnish, American, Czech, Hungarian, Swiss, and Cameroonian. Sunday services are held at 10:30 am year-round. Weekday prayer services take place on Thursdays at 7:00 pm, except during the summer. The Église Luthérienne Saint-Jean stands as a testament to both architectural beauty and the enduring power of faith. It welcomes visitors to explore its history, admire its features, and experience the unique aspects of Lutheran worship.