Here stands the Croix de l’Évangile a silent sentinel. It marks centuries of Parisian history. This is the last remaining calvary in the city. The Croix de l’Évangile has witnessed countless changes.
Imagine Paris in 1540. A simple cross marked a pilgrimage route. This route was known as the “chemin des Vertus” or path of virtues. Pilgrims walked from Saint-Denys de la Chapelle church. They journeyed to Notre-Dame-des-Vertus church in Aubervilliers. The Croix de l’Évangile served as a guide.
Centuries passed and the original cross vanished during the Revolution. Joseph Hirth a Parisian owner rebuilt it in 1808. The Croix de l’Évangile stood within La Chapelle commune then. Restoration followed in 1823. It appeared on Lefebvre’s map in 1859.
The current crucifix dates back to 1860. It is made of cast iron. The Val d’Osne art foundry created it. The cross design came from their 1856 catalog. The Christ figure is considered a Jansenist Bouchardon style.
Around 1860 the commune of La Chapelle merged with Paris. The Compagnie des chemins de fer de l’Est moved the monument between 1863 and 1871. This was due to construction. They built the Croix-de-l’Évangile railway bridge.
Once a monumental stone portico stood behind the Croix de l’Évangile. It had a triangular front. The pedestal bore the Latin phrase “Spes Unica” meaning only hope. This portico disappeared by the mid-20th century.
The Croix de l’Évangile even appeared in cinema. Marcel Carné recreated the area in his 1946 film Les Portes de la nuit. Diego and Malou embraced before it surrounded by gasometers. René-Jacques captured the calvary in a 1946 photograph. Robert Doisneau staged actress Nicole Courcel there in 1949.
Today the Croix de l’Évangile stands at the intersection of Évangile and Aubervilliers streets. It is easily accessible. Rosa-Parks station on RER line E is nearby. The Porte d’Aubervilliers tram stop is a short walk. Crimée and Marx Dormoy metro stations are also within reach.
Locals still show devotion to the Croix de l’Évangile. They adorn it with flowers and candles. It stands about two meters tall. The metal cross depicts the Crucifixion. A concrete base supports it within a small garden.
Consider this: The Croix de l’Évangile is more than a monument. It embodies faith history and art. It is a testament to Paris’s enduring spirit.
The Croix de l’Évangile remains a place of reflection. It is a reminder of the past. It offers a moment of peace in the urban bustle. Take a moment to appreciate its quiet strength.