127 Paris, 10th arrondissement, St Joseph the Artisan.
Paris, 10th arrondissement St Joseph the Artisan
This is a mid nineteenth-century chapel which became a parish church in 1958. Tiny and quite exquisite Stations
of the Cross, and modern stained glass done by a priest-artist.
From 1866 to 1925 it was
the church for Germans in Paris. Somewhat damaged by artillery fire during the
Paris Commune of 1871, and bombed during the First World War, but intact. Saint
André Bauer frequented this church before going off to China as a missionary,
and being killed there in the Boxer rebellion.
Seven paintings tell the
story of the life of Saint Joseph, some of the scenes being based on episodes
not officially recognized by the Catholic Church, in particular the death of
Joseph in the presence of both Mary and Jesus.