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Origin and history

The church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Croix came into being in the early 19th century, when the hamlet of Ménilmontant, then dependent on the parish of Belleville, experienced rapid population growth. In 1823 (or 1833 according to certain sources), Father Longbois, parish priest of Belleville, had a chapel built dedicated to Notre-Dame-de-la-Croix to meet local spiritual needs. This chapel, which became an independent parish in 1858 under the direction of its first parish priest, Abbé Depille (appointed in 1847), is quickly insufficient with a capacity limited to 400 faithful.

The construction of the present church began in 1863 under the direction of architect Louis-Jean-Antoine Héret, in a neo-Roman style inspired by Poitevin and Saintongese models, while integrating neo-Gothic elements. The works, interrupted during the Paris Commune (1871), where the building served as a forum for political meetings — notably to vote for the death of Archbishop Darboy — ended in 1880. The church, delivered to worship in 1869, is distinguished by its monumental staircase of 54 steps, its narrow nave 97 meters long, and an apparent metal frame, innovative for the era.

The name of the church would come from a statue of the Virgin originally venerated in an establishment held by the brothers of the Holy Cross, religious order installed on St. Croix de la Bretonnery Street before its destruction during the Revolution. Ranked as a historical monument in 2017, the church houses a remarkable organ built by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll in 1874, as well as 19th-century works of art, including paintings by Jean-Jacques Lagrenée and Albert Chanot. Its hybrid architecture and its history linked to the Commune make it a symbol of Parisian heritage.

The building, the third largest church in Paris by its length after Notre-Dame and Saint-Sulpice, is part of an urban perspective marked by the opening of rue Étienne-Dolet in 1878. Its 78-metre bell tower and slate roofs, partially covered with original copper, make it a major visual landmark of the 20th arrondissement. The church remains active in the local life, with a parish bulletin, Lami du 20e, published since 1945.

At the cinema, Notre-Dame-de-la-Croix appeared in Le Ballon rouge (1956) by Albert Lamorisse and Femme fatale (2002) by Brian De Palma, demonstrating his attachment to popular culture. Its staircase and imposing façade, visible from the Place de Ménilmontant, also make it a popular filming place.

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