Saint-Séverin (Paris)
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The Church of Saint-Séverin (French: Eglise Saint-Séverin) is a church in the Latin Quarter of Paris, located on the lively tourist street Rue St-Séverin. It is one of the oldest churches that remain standing on the Left Bank, and it continues in use as a place of worship.
The church is dedicated to Séverin, who is said to have been a hermit who lived there and prayed in a small rudimentary oratory. After Séverin's death, a basilica was constructed on the spot. This was destroyed by the Vikings, and the current church building was started in the 11th century, though its major features are late Gothic and date from the 15th century. Its external features include some fine gargoyles. Its bells include the oldest one remaining in Paris, cast in 1412; their ringing is recalled in a well known poem in praise of Paris by Alan Seeger.
Internal features of the church include both ancient stained glass and a set of seven modern windows by Jean René Bazaine, inspired by the seven sacraments of the Catholic church, around the ambulatory. The deambulatory also includes an unusual pillar in the form of the trunks of a palm tree. The construction of the marble choir was made possible by donations from Anne, Duchess of Montpensier, a cousin of Louis XIV. The organ is signed Jean Ferrand.
Until 1790 Saint-Severin was the seat of the southern archdeaconry of the pre-revolutionary diocese of Paris. In the late nineteenth century the writer Joris-Karl Huysmans frequented and popularised the church. At Michaelmas 1956 it was the scene of a demonstration by Christian conscripts against the war in Algeria. In the years leading up to the Second Vatican Council Saint-Severin was known for the style of its worship arising from the Liturgical Movement.
Recent curés have included; Daniel Pézeril, subsequently auxiliary bishop of Paris
Maurice Le Bègue de Germiny, currently bishop of Blois
Jérôme Beau, currently auxiliary bishop of Paris
The address of the church is 3, rue des Prêtres Saint-Séverin, 75005 Paris, France.
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