Church Our-Lady-of-the-Cross of Ménilmontant

The church Our-Lady-of-the-Cross is a building Parisian Catholique which is in the district of Ménilmontant, in the XX {{E}} district. This vast church (97 meters length, 38 meters of width, 20 meters height under the vault of the nave) combines Romance and Gothic elements. It is also pointed out for its 78 meters height bell-tower as for its monumental staircase which precedes its frontage.

History

For a long time, Ménilmontant, then a hamlet, remained under the supervision of the parish Saint-Jean-Baptist of Belleville, but at the beginning of the XIXe century, its population increased much, and in 1823 (certain documents say 1833), the priest of the aforesaid the parish made build a vault: Our-Lady-of-the-cross. Its first priest was the Abbé Depilates (named on March 18th, 1847).

About the middle of the XIXe century this vault was not appropriate any more for the needs for the parish, because it could contain only 400 people. It was destroyed, then replaced by a church, the current one. The work which started in 1863 is completed only in 1880, but it became a place of worship since 1869. A little later the militants communards were used for themselves about it to hold of the political meetings, and it is there that was voted by acclamation the death of the archbishop of Paris, monseigneur Darboy, on May 6th, 1871. (It was not the only Parisian church to shelter a club at the time of the Commune; it was also the fate of Saint-Eustace, Saint-Germain the Resident of Auxerre, Saint Severin, Saint-Sulpice, as well as Saint-Ambroise, inter alia).

Large Organ

Organ built in 1874
3 manual keyboards and pedals
26 plays

The famous organ builder Aristide Cavaillé-coll was confronted with a problem of size during the development of the plans of the organ, namely, the monumental rosette and in the center of the platform, the passage of the bells. This last was thus constrained to build a dresser in two parts, letting appear the rosette in its medium.

On the sound level, this organ is universally known by the organists of the whole world and is certainly succeeded the most by the famous organ builder Cavaillé-coll.

See too

Panel History of Paris which is close to the church.

External bonds

History on the official site of the historical church
Note of Debecker

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