Notre Dame de France facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Notre Dame de France |
|
|---|---|
Entrance to Notre Dame de France
|
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| 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 located in the lively Soho area of London. You can find it on Leicester Place, just a short walk north of Leicester Square. It serves as an important place for the French community in London.
Contents
History of the Church
The story of Notre Dame de France began in the mid-1800s. In 1861, Cardinal Wiseman, who was the Archbishop of Westminster, asked a group called the Marist Fathers to create a special place for the many French people living in London. Father Charles Faure was put in charge of this important project.
Building the Church
On March 25, 1865, Father Faure bought a round building near Leicester Square. This building was once a popular tourist attraction called Burford's Panorama. It was built in the early 1800s and showed large circular paintings for entertainment.
Father Faure hired a French architect named Louis-Auguste Boileau. Boileau was known for using cast iron in his buildings. He 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 using cast iron.
Second World War Damage
During the Battle of Britain in 1940, London faced heavy bombing. Sadly, Notre Dame de France was badly damaged during these attacks.
Rebuilding and Restoration
The church reopened in 1941 after some major repairs, which Father Laurent oversaw. However, much more work was needed. By 1948, the repairs were finally finished. This was thanks to the new leader, Father Deguerry, and the support of important people like French Ambassador Jean Chauvel and British Prime Minister Anthony Eden.
René Varin, a French cultural expert, encouraged the idea of making the church a beautiful space that would honor France. Between 1953 and 1960, he invited famous artists to help decorate the newly rebuilt church. Hector Corfiato was the architect who designed the church's rebuilding in 1953-1955.
Beautiful Artwork
The church is home to many wonderful pieces of art.
Entrance and Altar Art
Above the main entrance, there is a detailed carving from 1953 by Georges Saupique. It shows 'Our Lady of Mercy'.
Behind the main altar, you can see a large tapestry. It was created by Dom Robert, a Benedictine monk. This tapestry shows a theme of paradise on Earth, with ideas about creation and wisdom.
Lady Chapel Murals
The Lady Chapel has special murals painted by Jean Cocteau in 1960. These murals show important scenes like the Annunciation, the Crucifixion, and the Assumption. They were carefully restored in 2012.
A wooden painting by Cocteau was moved to show a mosaic from 1954 by Boris Anrep on the altar. Cocteau's painting is now displayed on a nearby wall.
There is also a modern altarpiece from 2016 by Timur D'Vatz. It shows 'The Flight of Holy Family into Egypt'.
The Church Organ
The church's organ was first built in 1868 by August Gern. It was made larger in 1938. During the 1940 bombings, it had to be taken apart. In 1955, it was rebuilt. The organ was updated in 1986 and then fully modernized in 2010.
Community Services
Today, Notre Dame de France continues to be a busy church. It offers many services to the growing French community in London. The church also works with other local Catholic churches in the West End to help people and share its message.
See also
- French migration to the United Kingdom
