Could a place of worship face such an uncertain future? This magnificent structure of red brick, the Église Protestante Suédoise, stands apart from the usual Parisian architecture. It’s located in the Plaine-de-Monceaux quarter of the 17th arrondissement. This church has been a beacon for the Swedish Protestant community since its construction between 1911 and 1913. What you see before you is the result of the Swedish community in Paris coming together to purchase the land and build the Église Protestante Suédoise. Interestingly, the Swedish state took ownership of the church for a symbolic price sometime before the 1970s, promising upkeep and maintenance. However, the promised renovations never happened. In a turn of events, when the church and state separated in Sweden in 2000, the ownership was reverted back to the Church of Sweden. They inherited a building in dire need of repair. While some renovations were undertaken in the 2010s, they were mostly superficial. Today, the Église Protestante Suédoise stands as a testament to the Swedish community in Paris and their commitment to preserving their cultural and religious heritage. This struggle highlights the ongoing conversation about religious institutions and their financial sustainability in a rapidly changing world.
Église Notre-Dame de l’Air
Beneath what appears to be a simple stone and wood structure lies a history interwoven with faith aviation and community.