“Ever hear of a church vanishing completely?” That’s essentially the tale of a predecessor to what is now known as the Paroisse La Présentation du Sauveur au Temple.
Let me introduce you to the story of a church. It stood once upon a time at the corner of Rue Saint-Sauveur and Rue Saint-Denis. It was in Paris’s 2nd arrondissement. This was the Église Saint-Sauveur de Paris.
Imagine the bustling streets of Paris centuries ago. There stood the Église Saint-Sauveur. It was first mentioned way back in 1216. Back then, it was known as the “chapelle de la Tour”. This was because of a nearby tower. Sadly, that tower was torn down in 1778.
In the 16th century, they rebuilt the Église Saint-Sauveur. But in 1787, it was torn down again. The plan was to make it bigger and better. Architect Bernard Poyet began the reconstruction quickly. By 1790, Saint-Sauveur was one of Paris’s 51 urban parishes.
The French Revolution then came crashing in. The reconstruction was halted. It never truly restarted. The building was ultimately destroyed. New buildings replaced it. The Église Saint-Sauveur was no more.
The Église Saint-Sauveur did have its notable figures. Savinien de Cyrano de Bergerac was baptized there. He was a famous writer. Also, André-Jacques Garnerin was baptized there. He was an early balloonist. Several people were buried there. These included actors Belleroche, Gros-Guillaume, and Turlupin. Also buried there were poet Guillaume Colletet, comedian Gauthier-Garguille, doctor Guillot-Gorju, and Jacques Vergier.
Now, let’s fast forward. Today, we stand before the Paroisse La Présentation du Sauveur au Temple. It is located at 91, rue Olivier de Serres in Paris’s 15th arrondissement. It serves as a vital center for the Russian Orthodox community.
Services here are primarily conducted in Slavonic. The church follows the Julian calendar. You can attend Vigile services on Saturdays at 6 PM. Liturgy services are on Sundays at 10 AM.
The Paroisse La Présentation du Sauveur au Temple is more than just a building. It’s a testament to faith. It’s a bridge connecting the past with the present. The location is easily accessible. Simply take the Metro to Porte de Versailles. It’s on the 12th line.
Think about it. The Église Saint-Sauveur vanished. Yet, the spirit of faith endures in places like the Paroisse La Présentation du Sauveur au Temple. It offers solace and community to those who seek it. It is a reminder that even in a constantly changing world, some things remain. Faith and community will always be important. They offer stability.