Construction of the temple 1922-1924 (≈ 1923)
Funded by US Post-First War funds.
1924
Inauguration of the church
Inauguration of the church 1924 (≈ 1924)
Memorial temple dedicated to American soldiers.
2003
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 2003 (≈ 2003)
Listed in the inventory of historical monuments.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The Temple (Box AC 38): inscription by decree of 9 April 2003
Key figures
Paul-Philippe Cret - Architect
Temple designer with Chauquet.
Chauquet - Architect
Co-author of the building plans.
Burnand - Swiss Artist
Author of stained glass boxes.
Henri Vallette - Swiss sculptor
Director of the carved tympanum.
Origin and history
The American Reformed Church of Château-Thierry is a Protestant religious building built in the aftermath of the First World War between 1922 and 1924. It was financed by US funds initially raised to morally support soldiers involved in the conflict. This temple, inaugurated in 1924, symbolizes the memory of American soldiers and their commitment to France. It is part of a series of memorials erected by the United States on French soil after 1918.
The building, inspired by American churches, was designed by architects Paul-Philippe Cret and Chauquet. Its interior is marked by neat decorations, including stained glass windows made after the cardboards of Swiss artist Burnand, and a tympanum carved by Henri Vallette, another Swiss. These artistic elements, as well as the contemporary neo-Gothic furniture of construction, were often offered by families or parishes of fallen American soldiers. The triptych window, oriented to the east, represents emblematic French and American military figures, such as La Fayette, Foch, Joffre, Pétain, Pershing and Nivelle.
Ranked among historical monuments since 2003, this church is distinguished by its role both cultural and memorial. Today it belongs to the United Protestant Church of France and remains an architectural and historical testimony of the Franco-American ties born during the Great War. Its inclusion in the inventory of historical monuments underlines its heritage importance, both for its architecture and for its symbolic dimension.
The building is located in Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville in Château-Thierry, in the department of Aisne, in the Hauts-de-France region. It is still used as a place of worship and retains strong commemorative value, recalling the sacrifice of American soldiers during the First World War. Its panelling in a ship, its organ of rostrum and the biblical quotation inscribed above the table of communion ("Glory be to God in Jesus Christ in the Church") reinforce its religious and historical character.
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