Church of the Holy Spirit, Art Deco church in 12th arrondissement, France.
The Church of the Holy Spirit is a Catholic church in the 12th arrondissement of Paris, built entirely of reinforced concrete with a facing of Burgundy brick. Its square nave is topped by a ribbed dome 22 metres in diameter, rising 33 metres above the floor, with a ring of arched windows at its base. Inside, the concrete is left raw except for murals such as "CHRISTI SANGUIS" and "VERBUM CARO FACTUM EST".
Construction took place between 1928 and 1935 under architect Paul Tournon's design. This project represented modern architectural thinking in the Parisian context during the early 20th century.
The murals follow a single program: the action of the Holy Spirit in human history, from Pentecost to the 20th century, split between the Church militant and the Church triumphant. Paul Tournon imposed a uniform height for the main figures and a red background to unify the 20-plus artists' contributions. Most were painted on fresh cement, about one square metre a day, with no retouching possible.
The location on Avenue Daumesnil offers easy access via nearby metro lines 6 and 8. Visiting hours may vary, so checking in advance helps you plan your visit.
The dome rests on four reinforced-concrete arches and measures 22 metres across, its summit 33 metres above the floor; a ring of openings at its base lets light onto the murals below. Paul Tournon modelled the plan on Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, and the concrete frame was a technical feat when the church was finished in 1935.
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