Church on Sunday...St.Paul's, Paris

The St-Paul-St-Louis Church can be found squeezed between blocks on Rue Saint Antoine in the Marais district of Paris. The church was built between 1627 and 1641 in the Jesuit architectural style. Its design is said to be based on the Gesú church in Rome. If you are visiting one of the other attractions in the area you should make a point of popping in - you won't be disappointed!

The first Mass here was celebrated on Ascension Day, May 9, 1641 by none other than Cardinal Richelieu you can imagine the pomp and ceremony that day.

Looking up is a delight to the eyes, even on a dull day light filters in through the many windows of the church's 63 metre high dome and galleries.

The architectural detail is amazing.

Due to its proximity to the Bastille the church was badly ransacked during the start of the French Revolution.but it has been restored to its former glory aided by the inclusion of some paintings, one of them is 'Christ in the Garden of Olives' by Eugene Delacroix (French Romantic artist) hangs in the left transept of the church.

Built in 1867 the organ is rather impressive, its wooden housing is actually recognized as an historic monument. 

Where's Joan...she's here in all her glory.

Love the big red  front door!

View Larger Map

Church on Sunday...Epsom..St.Martin of Tours

You know I love a coincidence, so you can imagine our surprise when deciding to have a look at the one of the churches here in Epsom, to find it dedicated to none other than St. Martin de Tours. The site here in Epson has been host to place of worship since Saxon times.The Doomsday Book of 1085-86 highlighted the existence of two churches in the area one of which would have been a forerunner to St.Martin's.

The 'medieval' church consisted of a short nave of about 50 feet with side aisles, a south porch and a north west tower.The 'new' church was built in 1824 in a 'Gothic' style but retained the old tower (15th century). The original seating would have been boxed pews.

 The very ornate alter sits underneath a partially stained glass window - apparently unfinished due to lack of funds - and behind a rood screen.

A view of the side chapel under the organ loft.

 

Two little stained glass windows in the small otherwise simple right-hand side chapel.

Two views of the impressive organ loft.

The pulpit is very reminiscent of the ones we see in France. 

Looking to the rear of the church and the 15th century baptismal font.

Not surprisingly there is no hint of 'Joan' even with the French connection.

The ancient graveyard surrounding the church is now 'closed' for burials...

but there is a pretty little garden of remembrance where 'ashes' can be placed.

The plain leaded windows of the nave are attractive in there simplicity.

Church on Sunday...St. Paul's Ayr

Today we visit the church of St. Paul's  in Ayr,  it was built in 1967 to cater for a then expanding population.

The church is very 60's in its design but has stood the test of time rather well

Here's a couple of newly-weds standing by the front doors (Oct,1975)

The inside is quite plain but airy and bright.

The glass in the windows has been replaced by modern stained glass.

Found these facts on the church's website, to buy the land in 1966 cost £240 and the architect’s fees were £8.8s.!! ...a bit like today's market...not!

Church on Sunday...Alloway

The parish church of Alloway just outside Ayr has been somewhat overshadowed by its neighbour across the street, 'The Auld Kirk', as it is famously mentioned in the Robert Burn's poem 'Tam O'Shanter'.It is also where his father William is buried.

The Auld Kirk ruins date from the early 16th century but there is also evidence of an earlier 13th century building. The kirk stopped being used in 1690 when the parish was absorbed by the town of Ayr. After this, although it continued to be used as a place of worship and for a short time, a school, it fell into disrepair.

The people of Alloway had to wait until 1858 to again have a church of their own, with a building fund raised by local subscriptions. The entrance to the church is via a side porch which has an interesting floor... 

...letting you know which country you are in.

It also has a couple of small modern stained glass windows

.

There are also a couple of carved faces, one smiling and one frowning which we have come across in France but as yet haven't found an explanation for.

Sadly we couldn't view the inside as due to the times we live in it is locked up and secured when not in use for services.
                                                 

We did find this view of the inside...

...shame we couldn't get to see it ourselves.

                                 

Church on Sunday...St Andrews

Well a cathedral actually...well what's left of it anyway!When we were over at St.Andrews we took a walk through the town to the site of the cathedral. The size of the cathedral can be seen from the remains and it must have been an impressive place 700 years ago.

It was in its day, the largest and most important church in Scotland 

It was built between 1160 and 1318 

You can still see good evidence of where the main altar stood...

and the bases of the main support pillars.

There had however been a church on the site since the 8th century but the current site's oldest remains are that of  'St Rule's tower' which is located in the Cathedral grounds. It served as a church to up to the early 12th century. It continued to be used during the building of its much larger successor.

 Inside the tower.

 St Rule (or Regulus) is credited with bringing the relics of St Andrew to Scotland.

The cathedral ruins are surrounded by a graveyard...

and by the most complete and imposing monastic enclosure walls in Scotland.

The ruins look out to the north sea whose winds and rain have added to the deterioration of the remaining stonework but it was the Reformation that really brought its demise.

 Where's Joan.?

She's not here obviously but there is a connection in that the town of St Andrews is twinned with the Southern Touraine town of Loches which Joan passed through on her way to Chinon.

                                
View Larger Map