CHURCH BUILDING IN PARIS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1794, 5 July 1913, Page 9

CHURCH BUILDING IN PARIS.

KEMAKKABLE ACTIVITY. Cliurch building in tho dioceso of Paris would seem to be proceeding apace. There is a diocesan association for. the provision." of chapels of ease, which recently held its annual lliceting under the presidency of the Cardinal Archbishop. The growing interest which is being taken in the work may be gathered from the fact that in 1912 the association collected a sum of no less than 455,000 francs, against 104,000 francs subscribed in 1905. Thanks to this generous response, the society; has been able to insuro the maintenance of twenty-eight religious centres, sixteen of which are in the suburbs, besides supplying tho cost of several chapels erected by building societies. H. Henri Cochin, in presenting his annual report, pointed out the almost incredible efforts that had been made for the provision of church accommodation since Separation of Church and State had coiiio into forcef. During 1912, seven churches had. been opened, thus bringing up the number erected during the past seven years to fifty-six. The style followed is one of striking simplicity, which yet is not devoid of beauty. Indeed, said If. Cochin, the new churches are beautiful because of their simplicity, the necessity for quick and cheap building having sent the ar-' chitects back to early stylos or artistic plainness. In a short address to tho meeting, Cardinal' Amette thanked tho society for tho splendid work it had nl-. ready done, .and pointed out how much there was still to be done. There were still what lie described as "monstrous" parishes in Paris of 00,000, 70,000, and even 95.000 souls. In these circumstances a sacred duty imposed itself upon' Catholics. to provide as soon as possible the means for the peoplo of theso parishes to fulfil their religious duties.—"The Tablet" (London). I