Saint Thomas Church: reviews and practical tips

Visit Saint Thomas Church

Located on Place Saint-Thomas in the historic center of Strasbourg, this Protestant church stands as a local landmark. Like many historic sites across France, it was designated a monument historique (historic monument) in 1862. It remains known today as the Alsatian cathedral of Protestantism.

History

The site has served as a place of worship since at least the 6th century, and Saint Florent, the Bishop of Strasbourg, was interred here in 693. In 820, Bishop Adeloch commissioned a large church for this location, but the structure was destroyed by fire in 1007. A replacement was built, only to be destroyed by lightning in 1144. Reconstruction did not begin for another 54 years. Construction was interrupted repeatedly and was not completed until 1521, resulting in a design that shifts from Romanesque to Gothic styles.

The Lutheran Reformation was well received in Alsace, and in 1524, Saint Thomas Church was assigned to Lutheran worship, a status it maintained even after the region was annexed by France. During the French Revolution, the sale of national properties threatened the church, but the jurist Christophe Guillaume Koch secured an exemption for Protestant assets in 1790. Following the damage sustained during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 and the two World Wars, the church underwent several restoration and development programs.

While two Protestant services are still held here daily, the interior has been adapted to host concerts and highlight the depth of its heritage.

Saint Thomas Church

Beyond the Gothic architecture, the church holds several significant treasures.

The sarcophagus of Bishop Adeloch, carved from pink sandstone, is a primary feature. You will also find the impressive mausoleum of Marshal Maurice de Saxe. It is a unique monument that the sculptor Jean-Baptiste Pigalle spent 20 years completing.

It is a site that is as historically significant as it is visually striking.