Église Sainte-Jeanne d’Arc

“A church built with our sweat, tears, and blood.” These poignant words, spoken by Abbé François-Xavier Scherer, perfectly capture the spirit of Église Sainte-Jeanne d’Arc. Église Sainte-Jeanne d’Arc stands here as a testament to faith and resilience, born from the anxieties of a world on the brink of war. In the 1930s, as the shadow of Nazism loomed large over Europe, Strasbourg sought solace and strength in its faith. The cornerstone of Église Sainte-Jeanne d’Arc was laid on June 11, 1933, by Abbé Scherer and Bishop Ruch. Its dedication to Joan of Arc, the liberator of France, was no accident. Her image resonated deeply with a city fearing a new invasion from across the Rhine. The church was formally consecrated on November 26, 1933, and the joyful peals of its three newly blessed bells first rang out on December 16, 1934. Originally known as the Église des Bateliers, or Church of the Boatmen, it reflected the city’s flourishing port and river trade. A statue of Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of boatmen, graces the choir, a reminder of the church’s connection to the city’s waterways. Église Sainte-Jeanne d’Arc is also known as the Armenseelenkirchlein, the “little church of the souls in purgatory”. Within its walls, you’ll find an altar dedicated to Notre-Dame du Purgatoire, depicting the Virgin Mary liberating souls from the flames of purgatory. This devotion highlights the church’s role as a sanctuary of prayer for the departed. The church has seen its share of challenges and renewals. In 1970, the interior underwent significant renovations. Years later, in November 2009, the facade was restored following damage incurred during anti-NATO protests in April of that year. More recently, in 2019, the church underwent an expansion, ensuring its continued service to the community. The spirit of Abbé Scherer, its founder, continues to inspire. He shepherded the parish from 1932 to 1936, nurturing its growth through numerous community initiatives, including a men’s group, mothers’ congregations, youth circles, and a choir. His leadership united a modest and impoverished parish, forging a strong bond amongst its members. Sadly, his courage and outspoken criticism of the Nazi regime led to his arrest and deportation to Dachau, where he died a martyr in 1942. His legacy of faith and resistance lives on at Église Sainte-Jeanne d’Arc.