Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste

Gazing upon the Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Belleville, one might feel a sense of awe. This isn’t just another church. It’s a testament to the neo-Gothic architectural style, a style that sought to recapture the grandeur of the past. Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Belleville stands proudly on rue de Belleville in the 19th arrondissement. Its construction, spanning from 1854 to 1859, marked a significant moment in Parisian architectural history. It was one of the first neo-Gothic churches erected in the city. The church itself is a marvel of design. A nave with five bays, flanked by two aisles and eight side chapels, creates a sense of spaciousness. The transept, choir, and ambulatory, with access to seven more chapels, add to the church’s intricate layout. Two sacristies and two bell towers, each topped with spires, complete the majestic silhouette. The sheer scale of Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Belleville is impressive. It measures 68 meters long and 25 meters wide. The facade rises 26 meters, while the spires reach a height of 57 meters. Inside, the grand nave boasts a 19-meter vault, while the lower sides have 8-meter vaults. Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Belleville represents the culmination of architect Jean-Baptiste Antoine Lassus’s career. He meticulously planned the structure, the iconography, and even designed the church’s furniture. The sculpted decor, a work of Aimé-Napoléon Perrey, adds to the richness. The stained-glass windows, created by Auguste de Martel from Louis Steinheil’s designs, bathe the interior in vibrant colors. Even the hinges of the gate and side doors are works of art, forged by Pierre Boulanger. The renowned architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc praised Lassus’s work on Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Belleville. He admired the erudition, taste, and originality displayed in this grand study of 13th-century architecture. In 2008, the choir underwent renovations. A baptistery was added and the sanctuary was updated under the guidance of architect François Lacoste. The church also received electrical upgrades and new lighting in 2014 and 2015, enhancing its beauty while respecting Lassus’s original vision. The facade of Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Belleville tells the story of its patron saint, John the Baptist. The central portal depicts key scenes from his life: the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Zacharias, Mary’s visit to Elisabeth, John’s birth and preaching, his baptism of Jesus, his criticism of Herod, and finally, his beheading. The left portal features the prophets Isaiah and Malachi, who foretold John’s arrival. The right portal portrays Jesus and John in prison and Christ’s liberation of Adam and Eve. Above the doors, stained-glass windows of King David and Saint Cecilia flank a rose window depicting the Virgin Mary. The tympanums of the transept offer further narratives. The left tympanum shows Archbishop of Paris François Nicolas Madeleine Morlot presenting the Church of Belleville to Saint John the Baptist. The right tympanum portrays the Resurrection, with five soldiers guarding Jesus’s tomb, their reactions ranging from awe to terror. Inside, the nave’s stained-glass windows depict scenes from the Old Testament, from the creation of Eve to the Tower of Babel. The side chapels feature saints like Michael, Nicholas, Vincent, Francis Xavier, Catherine of Alexandria, and Fiacre. The sanctuary’s stained glass portrays the Passion and Resurrection, along with the apostles. The altar, crafted by Ulysse Lacoste and containing relics of Saint Jean-Marie Vianney, is adorned with a stained-glass window of the Passover Lamb. The tabernacle’s window depicts the burning bush. The baptistery, located in the choir, symbolizes the eighth day of resurrection. A Suret organ from 1859, with two keyboards and thirteen games, enhances the church’s musical atmosphere.