Notre Dame de France facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Notre Dame de France |
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Entrance to Notre Dame de France
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| Location | Soho, London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | ndfchurch.org |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Founder(s) | Father Charles Faure |
| Dedication | Mary (mother of Jesus) |
| Consecrated | 11 June 1868 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Parish Church |
| Heritage designation | Grade II |
| Designated | 25 September 1998 |
| Architect(s) | Louis-Auguste Boileau Hector Corfiato |
| Architectural type | Cast-iron, Circular |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Westminster |
Notre Dame de France is a special French Catholic church in London, England. You can find it in an area called Soho, very close to Leicester Square. It's a place where French people in London can gather and worship.
Contents
Church History and Design
The story of this church began in the mid-1800s. In 1861, Cardinal Wiseman, who was a very important leader of the Catholic Church in Westminster, asked a group called the Marist Fathers to help the many French people living in London. Father Charles Faure was put in charge of this important project.
In 1865, Father Faure bought a round building near Leicester Square. This building used to be called Burford's Panorama. It was a popular tourist attraction in the early 1800s, where people could see large circular paintings. Father Faure hired a French architect named Louis-Auguste Boileau. He was famous for using cast iron in his buildings. Boileau kept the building's round shape and turned it into a church. When it was officially opened in 1868, it was the first church in London built with a lot of cast iron.
World War II Damage and Rebuilding
During the Battle of Britain in 1940, which was a big air battle in World War II, the church was badly damaged by bombs. It reopened the next year after some major repairs. However, it still needed a lot of work.
The church was fully repaired between 1948 and 1960. Father Deguerry oversaw this work. Important people like the French Ambassador Jean Chauvel and the British Prime Minister, Anthony Eden, also helped. René Varin, a French cultural expert, wanted the church to be a beautiful space that honored France. He asked famous artists to help decorate the rebuilt church.
The architect who designed the church's rebuilding from 1953 to 1955 was Hector Corfiato.
Artworks Inside the Church
- Above the main entrance, there is a stone carving from 1953 by Georges Saupique. It shows 'Our Lady of Mercy'.
- Behind the main altar, you can see a large tapestry. It was made by fr:Dom Robert, a monk, and shows a scene of 'Paradise on Earth'. It reminds us of creation and wisdom.
- The Lady Chapel has amazing murals painted by Jean Cocteau in 1960. These paintings show important moments like the Annunciation, the Crucifixion, and the Assumption. They were cleaned and fixed in 2012.
- Behind Cocteau's murals, there was a hidden mosaic from 1954 by Boris Anrep. It shows the Nativity scene.
- There is also a modern altarpiece from 2016 by Timur D'Vatz. It shows 'The Flight of the Holy Family into Egypt'.
Church Organ History
The church's organ was first built in 1868 by August Gern. It was made bigger in 1938. During the bombing in 1940, it was taken apart for safety. In 1955, it was put back together and rebuilt. The organ was updated in 1986 and again in 2010 to make sure it sounds its best.
Modern Services and Community
Today, Notre Dame de France offers many services to the French community in London. The church also works with other local Catholic churches to help people and share their faith.
See also
- French migration to the United Kingdom
