Église Saint-Aloyse

“A church for the students,” whispered a young man, clutching his books tightly as he hurried past Église Saint-Aloyse. Église Saint-Aloyse stands proudly in the Neudorf quarter of Strasbourg, along the Route du Polygone. This neo-Romanesque church, consecrated in the late 19th century, has a fascinating history. Église Saint-Aloyse was built because the previous chapel on Rue de la Chapelle was too small for the growing congregation. It’s dedicated to Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, a Jesuit saint known for his piety and service to the sick. The church’s German name, Aloysiuskirche, reflects this dedication. Inside Église Saint-Aloyse, a remarkable piece of history resides. The Pietà of Notre-Dame de la Citadelle, originally from the Saint-Louis church in Strasbourg’s citadel, found a new home here. The original church was destroyed during the siege of 1870. The statue was kept safe in a private home before being moved to Église Saint-Aloyse. The church’s architecture is striking. The building is oriented with the choir facing southeast, and a chapel dedicated to the Sacred Heart lies to the north. A transept houses the Pietà, and three doors on the west facade open into a narthex. Église Saint-Aloyse is also rich in art and symbolism. A magnificent canopy covers the main altar. Beneath it, a large crucifix hangs, while above, Christ in Glory is surrounded by the Four Living Creatures and apostles Peter and John. The stained glass, mostly created by the Ott brothers around 1953, depicts the lives of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Jesus Christ, and the Virgin Mary. Two series of paintings under the stained glass offer a visual catechism on the fundamentals of the Catholic faith. One series depicts the seven sacraments, while the other illustrates the Ten Commandments through biblical episodes. Numerous statues adorn the church, including the Twelve Apostles, Saint Joseph, and more recent figures like Saint John Paul II and Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. And finally, the 1888 Koulen organ, placed laterally to the building’s south side, fills the church with beautiful music.