Who we are
For more than a century, the American Cathedral in Paris has been a center of worship for English-speakers abroad. Located near the Seine in the heart of one of the world's most beautiful cities, it numbers in its parish congregation Americans, Britons and French as well as many other Europeans, Asians, Africans and Latin Americans, all of many denominations. Permanent parishioners total about 400 and their numbers are considerably augmented by students, tourists and business persons here on shorter-term assignments.
Classified as an historic monument, the American Cathedral was consecrated on Thanksgiving Day in 1886, but its roots go back even further, to the days when American Episcopalians began gathering together for worship in the 1830s. Though its roots are old, its outlook is young. Over the last two decades, the Cathedral has broadened and extended its vast range of ministries to meet the changing needs of a changing world. The Cathedral has expanded its outreach, from the local and national community to other nations in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
As a Cathedral, we serve as the gathering church and “mother church” for the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe. The Convocation includes nine lively and thriving parishes and several missions located throughout Western Europe. The Convocation is under the jurisdiction of the Episcopal Church in the United States and we are part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. As a cathedral, we serve as the seat for the Convocation’s Bishop-in-Charge, the Right Reverend Pierre Whalon.