The imposing structure before you is the Temple de la Rencontre. It wasn’t always this modern building. This Reformed church has a rich history. It started as a small chapel. The chapel du Nord met in various locations before finding a home. In 1862 it was inaugurated on Rue des Petits-Hôtels. It stood alongside the Bernard Palissy Protestant school. This school later became public.
Frédéric Monod a prominent pastor played a key role. He even traveled to the United States. He raised funds for the temple’s construction. His son Théodore Monod also served as a pastor there. Other notable pastors included Tommy Fallot and Élie Gounelle. The church’s early years saw strong growth. It became a central hub for the community.
In 1939 a significant event occurred. The Reformed Church of France was formed. The Union of Free Evangelical Churches of France was part of this merger. However the chapel du Nord initially resisted this unification. It retained its original name for a while. But later it merged with another reformed parish. This was the Chapelle Milton in 1962. This fusion brought different congregations together.
The newly combined parish decided on a bold step. They decided to completely rebuild the temple. The architect Philippe Verrey designed the modern building we see today. He also designed other prominent Protestant and Lutheran churches around Paris. The reconstruction was completed in 1966. That’s when the Gutschenritter company installed the impressive organ. The organ boasts two 56-note keyboards and a 30-note pedal board.
In 1964 the parish adopted its current name the Reformed Church of La Rencontre. Under the leadership of Pastor Claude Lignières the regional newspaper La Voix protestante was launched. Also in 1984 the Protestant Frequency radio station was created. Even Laurent Schlumberger a significant figure in French Protestantism served as pastor here. He was president of the Reformed Church of France. He also served as president of the United Protestant Church of France.
The Temple de la Rencontre continues to thrive. It remains a vital part of the Parisian religious landscape. It stands as a testament to its enduring legacy. It showcases a remarkable blend of history innovation and community spirit. The Temple de la Rencontre. A story etched in stone and faith.