Church of St Joan of Arc

Church of Saint Joan of Arc
Église Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc
Stained glass window of the Crucifixion, 16th century
Country	France
Denomination	Roman Catholic
History
Dedication	Joan of Arc
Dedicated	May 27, 1979
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Architect(s)	Louis Arretche
Style	Modern
Completed	1979
Administration
Archdiocese	Rouen

The Church of Saint Joan of Arc (French: L'église Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc) is a religious building in the city center of Rouen, northern France.^[1]

The church of Saint Joan of Arc was completed in 1979 in the center of the ancient market square (in French, the Place du Vieux-Marché) in Rouen.^[1] This is the place where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake for heresy in 1431.^[2] A small garden, Le Bouchet, which is outside and to the north of the church marks the exact spot. The stained glass windows come from the 16th century Church of Saint Vincent (originally located a few metres away in central Rouen. The ruins can still be seen today). The old church was almost completely destroyed in 1944 during World War II, but the windows had been removed and stored in a safe location during the war. They were then incorporated into the Church of Saint Joan of Arc.^[3]

The modern church Sainte-Jeanne d'Arc and the adjacent market halls were designed by the architect Louis Arretche.^[3] The sweeping curves of the structure are meant to evoke both the flames that consumed Joan of Arc and an overturned longship. Many early Christian churches were designed in the shape of an overturned boat. The market halls simultaneously resemble smaller overturned boats and fish with gaping mouths, which are also rich Christian symbols.

References

Coordinates: 49°26′34″N 1°05′18″E / 49.4429°N 1.0883°E / 49.4429; 1.0883