Protestant worship services in Paris?

January 11, 2009 3:17 AM

What are my options for a good Protestant worship service for Sunday the 18th in Paris?

ParisFilter: My parents are coming to visit me in France next weekend and we would like to go to church Sunday morning when we are in Paris.

Last time we were in Paris together (about four years ago), we went to the American Church in Paris and were rather turned off by the political lecture in lieu of a sermon (mostly a factor of the preaching style). We'd rather find a more worshipful service, possibly with a more PCA bent of theology. My parents are flexible when it comes to music styles -- contemporary or old-school are both fine.

An English service would be ideal because my parents don't speak French, but we can deal if the best service is only in French. Afternoon service options in English (I found a few on this page) are not ideal since we will be having a long lunch with friends.

I would greatly appreciate any personal anecdotes or suggestions. Help me Hive Mind!

posted by fantine to travel & transportation (6 comments total)

This looks like a comprehensive list. I don't live in Paris and I'm not protestant so I have no way of helping you choose.
posted by Baud at 3:40 AM on January 11

Mission to the World, the PCA's missions arm, has a work of some sort in Paris. That'd be worth looking into, but the link above has no additional information. A little searching leads me to believe that that link might be referring to this one, i.e. a PCA missionary is participating in a church plant belonging to another missionary agency. Again, there's no additional information, but there are some contact addresses.

I'm afraid that's all I've got. My French is pretty much non-existent.
posted by valkyryn at 3:52 AM on January 11

In the time I spent in Paris, I don't think I met a single observant Christian of any denomination, aside from little old ladies who looked old enough to have known John the Baptist. Certainly none who would go to church of a Sunday. And all the biddies were Catholic.

I think you'd be best served looking up the missions to France sent by your denomination, and finding where they might hold services. Can you have your parents work through the church at home to find out where people were sent?
posted by Netzapper at 5:20 AM on January 11

If you have any time for traveling, why not take them to Taize?
posted by hydropsyche at 9:50 AM on January 11

A friend of mine spent a year working with this church in Paris. My french is limited so I'm not sure if they do an English-language service but I know that some of the church staff should be able to speak good English (inc the pastor, I think but don't quote me on it!).

They're probably on the more contemporary side of the fence but with definitely more reformed theology in line possibly with PCA.
posted by gkhewitt at 3:16 PM on January 11

Follow-up -- we went to the Temple du Marais (the church gkhewitt linked to). It was wonderful! Thanks for all the suggestions.
posted by fantine at 9:23 AM on January 25