The American Church in Paris - Sunday, 15 November

The American Church in Paris, established in 1857 on the banks of the Seine at 65, quai d'Orsay, is my favorite Sunday haunt. It’s a non-denominational Protestant church with a very fine preacher and organ/organist, choir, program and building. It seems to be the home of English-speaking expatriates from all over the world – I’ve rarely seen a more racially mixed congregation. People are very friendly and they have a coffee hour after the service each Sunday. They also host concerts on many Sunday afternoons and have extensive services (a job board, housing announcements, classes, discussion groups, etc.) for English speaking people - the "Bloom Where You're Planted" publication and program developed by the women of the church is the best resource for living in Paris that I've seen anywhere.

This Sunday the service music plus a prelude and postlude was provided by the traveling Ibstock Place School Choir from Richmond Park in southwest London. They were excellent, singing a wide range of music by Dyson, Harris, Goodall, Duruflé, Stainer, Franck, Mozart, Fauré and Long.
Here’s a photo of them and one of the sanctuary.

It was stewardship Sunday (it’s a pandemic!), and they also had a mini “ministries fair” in the theater adjoining the sanctuary during coffee time after the service. Clever idea!



There’s not much else to do on a Sunday morning in Paris, so I highly recommend The American Church for some spiritual rejuvenation and blessing! The #63 bus stops right outside the door, and it runs on Sundays. Be sure to drop a few euros (or dollars or whatever you have – they take it all) in the offering plate.