Church of Notre-Dame-du-Travail (Eglise Notre-Dame-du-Travail) description and photo - France: Paris (Topic)

Church of Notre-Dame-du-Travail (Eglise Notre-Dame-du-Travail) description and photos - France: Paris. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Eglise Notre-Dame-du-Travail.

Photo and description

The Church of Notre Dame du Grave (Our Lady of Labor) is a unique church with a unique name.

In 1884 in the Plaisance district, on the working outskirts Paris, a new priest appeared, twenty-three-year-old father Jean-Baptiste Roger Solange-Bodin. Strong, cheerful, with a quick reaction of an athlete, Solange-Bodin was not afraid of ridicule and attacks of the anti-clerical people. The workers accepted and fell in love with the priest - he had the gift of speaking the same language with them. He helped the disadvantaged, fought for social justice and tirelessly carried the word of God.

Thirty-five thousand workers and families lived in the area - the industry of Paris was developing rapidly. The old small church of Notre-Dame-de-Plaisance was missing, a new one was needed, and Father Solange-Bodine came up with which one. Why shouldn't working people go to a church built with the materials they deal with every day, a church in their honor and spiritually close to them? He began a national subscription to finance the construction. Money began to come from everywhere.

Architect Jules Astruc was imbued with the idea. A student of Victor Laloux, who built the station d'Orsay, he understood how important the connection between architecture and engineering is. In 1902 the new church was completed. Outside, it is a typical large Romanesque temple. On the bell tower there is a bell donated by Napoleon III to the old church (a trophy obtained during the siege of Sevastopol). Inside, the person entering is struck by the steel columns and arches in a huge space - as if in a workshop. Astruc was not the first to use metal for the structure of the temple, but he has steel parts that play a major role in the design. 135 tons of riveted structures seem delicate and light.

Despite the industrial style, the church does not look cold. It is richly decorated with frescoes, sculptures and stained glass windows in the Art Nouveau style. The organ, made in the same style, seems to flourish among stone and metal. A workbench, a cart, an anvil, a hammer and other tools are visible on the pedestal of the statue of the Mother of God with the Little Jesus. The fresco "Saint Joseph - Patron of Carpenters and Joiners" depicts a teenage Jesus helping his father in his work. The entire interior of the church emphasizes respect and love for the man of labor.

Now Notre-Dame-du-Gravay is a working church with a vibrant parish life. Nearby there is a small street named after a Christian ascetic - Abbot Solange-Bodin Street.

Now Notre-Dame-du-Gravay is a working church with a vibrant parish life. Nearby there is a small street named after a Christian ascetic - Abbot Solange-Bodin Street.

Now Notre-Dame-du-Gravay is a working church with a vibrant parish life. Nearby there is a small street named after a Christian ascetic - Abbot Solange-Bodin Street.

Now Notre-Dame-du-Gravay is a working church with a vibrant parish life. Nearby there is a small street named after the Christian ascetic - the street of Abbot Solange-Bodin.

Now Notre-Dame-du-Gravay is a working church with a vibrant parish life. Nearby there is a small street named after a Christian ascetic - Abbot Solange-Bodin Street.

Now Notre-Dame-du-Gravay is a functioning church with a vibrant parish life. Nearby there is a small street named after a Christian ascetic - Abbot Solange-Bodin Street.

Now Notre-Dame-du-Gravay is a functioning church with a vibrant parish life. Nearby there is a small street named after the Christian ascetic - the street of Abbot Solange-Bodin.

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Topic: Church of Notre-Dame-du-Travail (Eglise Notre-Dame-du-Travail) description and photo - France: Paris.