Église Saint-Polycarpe

Tucked between the bustling streets of Lyon, the Église Saint-Polycarpe stands as a silent witness to centuries of history. This isn’t just any church. It’s the oldest church of the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri in Lyon, a testament to the enduring power of faith and community. The Église Saint-Polycarpe, completed in 1670, whispers stories of the past through its very stones. Imagine Lyon in 1756. Architect Toussaint Loyer is putting the finishing touches on the church’s facade, lengthening the nave to accommodate the growing congregation. The facade, with its four Corinthian pilasters and triangular pediment, stands as a proud example of 18th-century architecture. Step inside the Église Saint-Polycarpe and let your eyes be drawn to the apse. There, a painting of the Last Supper by Louis Janmot captures the drama and solemnity of that pivotal moment. The church also houses a remarkable organ, built by Augustine Zeiger in 1841. This wasn’t the first organ to grace the Église Saint-Polycarpe. A previous organ, built in 1722, had fallen into disrepair. François Mensongue, a renowned composer and the church’s organist since 1826, commissioned Zeiger to create its replacement. Music lovers may know that the celebrated organist Adrien Rougier played this magnificent instrument from 1932 to 1945. In 1791, amidst the turmoil of the French Revolution, the Oratory Church became a parish church. It was renamed Église Saint-Polycarpe to honor Polycarp of Smyrna, a mentor to Lyon’s first two bishops, Saint Pothinus and Irenaeus. Today, the Église Saint-Polycarpe also holds a precious relic: the heart of Pauline-Marie Jaricot, founder of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. The Église Saint-Polycarpe has witnessed much in its long life, from revolution and war to peace and prosperity. It stands as a reminder of Lyon’s rich history and the enduring power of faith. In 1982, this historical and spiritual treasure was officially recognized as a monument historique.