Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Grenelle (also known as Saint-John-Baptiste de Grenelle) is a Roman Catholic church located at 23 place Étienne-Pernet in the 15th arrondissement of Paris, France, near the Métro stations Commerce and Félix Faure. It serves as the parish church of the Grenelle quarter.
History
The church was constructed between 1824 and 1828 on the Plain of Grenelle, on land donated by a benefactor whose first name was Léonard Jean-Baptiste — which gave the church its name. As the population of the quarter grew rapidly and the earlier church proved too small, the building was rebuilt and greatly enlarged in 1924 and again in 1930. The architect was Léonard Bontat. The enlargements, sponsored by the Cardinal of Paris, included a new chapel underneath the choir.
Architecture
The church presents a striking contrast of styles: the exterior is built in the Neo-Gothic style, while the interior follows a very original version of the Neo-classical style inspired by Roman basilicas. The bell tower, of medieval Neo-Gothic inspiration, contrasts with the antique-inspired rest of the edifice and gives the church its singular silhouette.
The interior design follows the Roman basilica model, featuring arcades of classical columns and rounded arches. The upper level has rounded lunette windows. A cornice running around the church emphasises the division between the upper and lower levels of the nave. The prominent colour of the nave interior is yellow, the colour associated with the Resurrection of Christ.
Art and Decoration
The decoration of the church, completed in 1930, includes four murals placed in the transept, in the vault over the transept, and in the arch over the axial chapel. Notable works include:
- "Preaching of John the Baptist by the Jordan River" (left) and "Entry of Christ into Public Life" (right) — murals in the choir over the altar by Henri Nozais (1928)
- "The Mystic Lamb" — mural in the apse vault by Henri Nozais (1928)
- Stained glass windows — installed in 1930 and signed by the Atelier Janiaud; they are largely opaque, making the nave dark and the murals difficult to see even in full daylight. The predominant colour of the stained glass is yellow.
- Pietà — a wooden carving by Gustave Dermigny (1955)
Organ
The organ in the tribune is a modern instrument built by the firm Haerpfer in 1988 and modified by Fossaert in 2003–2004. It has 2 keyboards and 26 stops.
Location
The church is located at 23 place Étienne-Pernet, 75015 Paris. It looks down the Rue de Commerce, a lively commercial street in the 15th arrondissement.
