Wikipedia

Paris France Temple

The Paris France Temple is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Le Chesnay, a suburb of Paris, France, and is located near Versailles.[4][5] On July 15, 2011, the church released a statement declaring the intent to build a temple in Paris. The Paris France Temple was officially announced on October 1, 2011, by church president Thomas S. Monson during the general conference. The Paris France Temple is the first temple built in Metropolitan France, and the second in France, after the Papeete Tahiti Temple.[6][7]

Paris France Temple
Map
Number156
Dedication21 May 2017, by Henry B. Eyring
Site2.26 acres (0.91 ha)
Floor area44,175 sq ft (4,104.0 m2)
Official website • News & images
Church chronology
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Additional information
Announced15 July 2011, by Thomas S. Monson
GroundbreakingNo formal groundbreaking[1]
Open house22 April - 13 May 2017
Current presidentDominique Maurice Lucas
LocationLe Chesnay, France
Geographic coordinates48°49′4.41″N 2°7′23.42″E / 48.8178917°N 2.1231722°E / 48.8178917; 2.1231722
Exterior finishWarm-toned limestone with character reflective of limestone used in the Le Chesnay and Versailles regions
Baptistries1
Ordinance rooms2 (two-stage progressive)
Sealing rooms3
Clothing rentalYes
Visitors' centerYes
NotesThomas S. Monson confirmed on 15 July 2011 that the church "hope[d] to build [a] temple in France" near Paris,[2] and on 1 October 2011 announced that the plans were "moving forward."[3] In 2014, a news story from the church noted that work had commenced on the temple, though no formal groundbreaking had taken place.[1]
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The temple’s design was inspired by French architecture.[8] Ground was broken for the temple on August 24, 2012, but a traditional groundbreaking ceremony was not held.[8][9]

History

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The LDS Church in France

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The church's missionaries first arrived in France in 1849.[10] While they had some success in the first years, especially among “political dissenters and cultural outsiders,”[10] growth was stymied by the French government’s policies, which included limitations on the distribution of printed material and restrictions on how many people could gather at one time. After over a decade of little to no progress, the mission was closed in 1864.[10]

Missionaries did not return to France until 1908, and when they did it was to cities near the borders of Belgium and Switzerland. The French Mission was reorganized in 1912,[11] “but world wars and economic hardship limited the church’s presence for the next four decades.”[10] Missionaries were withdrawn from Europe during the world wars, and did not return until after World War II. Progress in rebuilding the church in France was slow, but began to pick up in 1960; almost 1,000 people were converted over the course of that year,[11] and growth continued. The first stake in France was organized in 1975.[10] Around that time, church leadership began to promise French members that there would one day be a temple in their country.[12]

A temple in Paris

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One of the first mentions of a temple in France was in 1976, when church president Spencer W. Kimball told members that one day a temple would be built in their country.[12] In 1998, French church members were again assured that they would one day have a temple in their country by church president Gordon B. Hinckley, who said in a meeting that the church would begin looking for a site to build a temple.[13]

On 15 July 2011, church president Monson announced that a temple would be constructed in France. New temples are generally announced during a church general conference. However, French newspapers reported the church's plans to build the temple at Le Chesnay, which prompted the early announcement, three months prior to the October 2011 conference.[4]

Local opposition included Mayor Philippe Brillault who opposed the temple—planned on a site for an abandoned, asbestos-choked power plant—and proclaimed, "We weren’t overjoyed, because Mormons have an image that’s pretty much negative."[14]

After construction was completed, a public open house was held from 22 April to 13 May 2017, excluding Sundays.[15] The temple was dedicated on 21 May 2017 by Henry B. Eyring.[16]

In 2020, like all the church's other temples, the Paris France Temple was closed for a time in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[17]

Design and architecture

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The building’s architectural design utilizes surrounding French monuments and the nearby Palace of Versailles, as well as traditional Latter-day Saint temple design.[18] The temple's architecture reflects both the cultural heritage of the Paris region and the spiritual significance of the church.

Site

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The temple sits on a 2.26-acre plot, and the landscaping around the temple features gardens and courtyards, along with a visitors' center.[18][8] The gardens contain a reproduction of Bertel Thorvaldsen’s Christus statue.[19] These elements are designed to provide a tranquil setting to enhance the sacred atmosphere of the site.

Exterior

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The structure stands 390 feet tall, constructed with warm-toned limestone which is similar to the stone used for other buildings in the area, including Versailles.[8] The exterior is characterized by its flat roof, which is an uncommon architectural feature for the church's temples. At the time of its construction, it was one of only four temples without a steeple or an angel Moroni statue. The other three were the Cardston Alberta, Laie Hawaii, and Mesa Arizona temples.[18]

Interior

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The interior features many art-glass windows with floral patterns, including a large stained-glass skylight that sits above the baptistry, designed to foster a spiritually uplifting environment.[18][8] The temple’s furnishings are in French Classical and Art Nouveau styles, and there are framed artworks throughout the temple.[18][19] In addition to the baptistry, the temple also has two ordinance rooms and three sealing rooms.[18]

Symbols

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The design has symbolic elements representing French art and culture, which provide a deeper connection to those who worship there. Symbolism is an important subject to church members. One example of these symbols is the floral motifs in the art-glass windows, which “are reflective of plants native to France and are based on the floral designs of artist Claude Monet’s gardens such as lilies, cornflower, lilacs and hollyhocks.”[19] The temple’s decorative motifs were also inspired by the fleur-de-lis, which is France’s national symbol and represents purity and virtue.[19]

The Paris France Temple is a place of worship and an architectural landmark in the Le Chesnay neighborhood, representing the church's commitment to sacred and aesthetically inspiring spaces.

Cultural and community impact

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In 2017, a cultural celebration was held to commemorate the completion and dedication of the temple. The program featured 950 youth from France, Belgium, and Switzerland, and celebrated the reformation and the restoration in addition to the temple.[20] While it wasn’t held on temple grounds, the event had the intent to provide a sense of community and promote mutual understanding among residents of diverse backgrounds.

The temple also plays a role in both educating and spiritually uplifting the community of members in Paris. It offers rich insights into the history of the church in France. The adjacent visitors' center, equipped with interactive displays and a 3D cut-out model of the temple, providing information for both members and non-members on the role temples play in the lives of church members and its unique place in church history.[20]

Temple presidents

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The church's temples are directed by a temple president and matron, each serving for a term of two or three years. The president and matron oversee the administration of temple operations and provide guidance and training for both temple patrons and staff.[21]

The first president of the Paris France Temple was Gérard S. Giraud-Carrier, with the matron being Annie Giraud-Carrier. They served from 2017 to 2019.[21] As of 2024, Dominique M. Lucas is the president, with Josiane M. Lucas serving as matron.[18]

Admittance

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Following the completion of the temple, the church held a public open house from April 22 to May 13, 2017 (excluding Sundays).[18] After the open house, the temple was dedicated by Henry B. Eyring on May 21, 2017.[18] Like all the church's temples, it is not used for Sunday worship services. To members of the church, temples are regarded as sacred houses of the Lord. Once dedicated, only church members with a current temple recommend can enter for worship.[22] The visitors’ center is available to the public.[23]

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    Exterior of the temple
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    Temple courtyard

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Elder Andersen visits construction site of Paris France Temple", Church News and Events, churchofjesuschrist.org, 19 June 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  2. ^ "Church Statement on Temple in France" (15 July 2011).
  3. ^ Monson, Thomas S. (1 October 2011. "As We Meet Again" talk given at General Conference.
  4. ^ a b "Six more temples announced; total now 108", Church News, March 27, 1999, retrieved 2018-12-27
  5. ^ Peggy Fletcher, Stack (Jul 15, 2011). "Mormon breakthrough: a temple in France". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake Utah: MediaNews Group. Retrieved October 27, 2011.
  6. ^ Temples en Europe et en Polynésie Française
  7. ^ Un temple mormon à deux pas du château de Versailles, Le Point
  8. ^ a b c d e "Paris France Temple | ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org". Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  9. ^ "Paris France Temple". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  10. ^ a b c d e "France: Overview". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  11. ^ a b Chard, Gary (1965). "A History of the French Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 1850-1960". All Graduate Theses and Dissertations: 185 – via HistoryCommons.
  12. ^ a b "Building a Temple in France". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  13. ^ "How a bishop, a mayor and a CFO/publicist helped make the Paris LDS Temple a reality". Deseret News. 2023-12-24. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  14. ^ Bryant, Elizabeth. "French Mormons find a less hospitable ‘Mormon moment’", The Washington Post, 17 February 2012. Retrieved on 3 April 2020.
  15. ^ "Open House and Dedication Dates Announced for Paris France Temple: First temple in France", Newsroom, LDS Church, 2016-11-07
  16. ^ "Paris France Temple Is Dedicated: First French temple is the 156th worldwide", Newsroom, LDS Church, 2017-05-21
  17. ^ Stack, Peggy Fletcher. "All Latter-day Saint temples to close due to coronavirus", The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 March 2020. Retrieved on 28 March 2020.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Paris France Temple". Church News. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  19. ^ a b c d "Bringing Vision to Life Through Architecture and Design of Paris France Temple". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. 2017-04-07. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  20. ^ a b "Why the Paris Temple was 40 Years in the Making | Meridian Magazine". Meridian Magazine | Latter-day Saint News and Views. 2017-05-16. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  21. ^ a b "Presidents and Matrons of the Paris France Temple | ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org". Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  22. ^ "Inside Temple". ChurchofJesusChrist. Retrieved Aug 3, 2024.
  23. ^ "Paris Temple Visitors' Center". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
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