Did you know that the Église Saint-Philippe-Saint-Jacques in Paris stands on ground once occupied by a leper colony? This very spot echoes with centuries of history.
The Église Saint-Philippe-Saint-Jacques wasn’t always the grand neoclassical structure we see today. Its story begins much earlier. In the early 13th century a small hamlet called Le Roule existed here. The coin makers a powerful guild built a facility to treat skin diseases. These diseases leprosy led to the establishment being named Maladrerie. The coin makers dedicated the hospice chapel to their patron saints Saint Philippe and Saint Jacques. They celebrated these saints together on May 1st.
By the late 17th century the Maladrerie was abandoned. The chapel remained but wasn’t a parish church. The people of Le Roule were part of the Saint-Martin-de-Villiers parish in Neuilly. This was inconvenient a four-kilometer journey. They petitioned to make the chapel their parish church. Permission was granted. The first official ceremony was held on May 1st 1699 the feast day of Saints Philippe and Jacques.
Despite repairs the church was in danger of collapsing. It had to be demolished in the early 18th century. Services were held in a barn. Most residents worked in the royal nurseries nearby. King Louis XV was aware of the situation. The initial project failed. In 1764 parishioners petitioned the king again. A new church was approved for construction on the old site.
Jean-François Chalgrin a young architect won the Prix de Rome in architecture. His plans were accepted in 1768. He was favored by the Marquis de Marigny and became architect to King Louis XV. He also designed parts of the Arc de Triomphe. Land acquisition took time. The first stone was laid in 1774. Construction stopped in 1779. The church was finally blessed on April 30 1784. May 1st Saint Philippe and Saint Jacques’ feast day was celebrated with great splendor. The planned two bell towers were never built.
Mid-19th-century expansions by Hippolyte Godde 1843-1847 and Baltard 1853 led to a new consecration on November 13 1852. A plaque commemorates this.
The Église Saint-Philippe-Saint-Jacques witnessed the French Revolution. Initially led by a priest sympathetic to the Revolution it was closed for worship in 1793 and used as a meeting place. Catholic worship resumed in 1795.
The Église Saint-Philippe-Saint-Jacques has undergone numerous changes. From a humble chapel serving a leper colony to a grand neoclassical church. It remains a testament to faith resilience and the enduring spirit of a community. Its history is a fascinating journey. It’s a story worth remembering. This beautiful church has witnessed many changes. It stands as a symbol of Parisian history and faith. The Église Saint-Philippe-Saint-Jacques is a must-see.