Saint-Pierre-le-Vieux Catholic Church
On Place Saint-Pierre-le-Vieux, on the west side of the historic centre, the Catholic church of Saint-Pierre-le-Vieux and its Protestant neighbour form a single building shared by two denominations. The Catholic part, built around 1900 in place of the old choir, holds fine carved panels by Veit Wagner. An unusual stop, not to be confused with the Saint-Pierre-le-Jeune churches.
A simultaneum: two faiths, one building
Saint-Pierre-le-Vieux is a simultaneum, a building used jointly for Protestant and Catholic worship. The medieval nave, built in the late 14th and early 15th centuries, is Protestant; the Catholic part is a newer church set at right angles to it. The Catholic side faces Rue du 22-Novembre, the Protestant side the Grand'Rue. The whole has been protected as a historic monument since 18 December 1981.
A wall, then a door
The church went over to the Reformation in 1529. In 1683, two years after France took Strasbourg, Louis XIV had the choir returned to the Catholics and a wall built at the rood screen, confining Protestant worship to the nave. The Catholic parish was re-established in 1867, and around 1900 the choir was demolished to build the present Catholic church, keeping the medieval bell tower. On 12 October 2012 a door was opened in the dividing wall, a symbolic gesture between the two communities.
Veit Wagner's panels
The main treasure of the Catholic part is a set of four limewood panels carved by Veit Wagner, from a 15th-century choir altarpiece, showing scenes from the life of St Peter. The choir also holds a series of paintings by Henri Lutzelmann on the Passion of Christ, along with Stations of the Cross and four paintings of Christ's life after the Resurrection. Get close to the panels to appreciate the delicacy of the carving.
Saint-Pierre-le-Vieux or le-Jeune?
Saint-Pierre-le-Vieux, on the west side of the centre, is the church shared by Catholics and Protestants described here. Protestant Saint-Pierre-le-Jeune, in the north of the Grande Île, is the medieval church with the Romanesque cloister and rood screen. Catholic Saint-Pierre-le-Jeune, near Place de la République, is the large domed church from the late 19th century. From Saint-Pierre-le-Vieux, Petite France, St Thomas' Church and Place Kléber are all a few minutes' walk away.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Saint-Pierre-le-Vieux church?
On Place Saint-Pierre-le-Vieux, at the end of Rue du 22-Novembre and the Grand'Rue, on the west side of the historic centre. The Catholic entrance is on the Rue du 22-Novembre side.
Why are there two churches in one building?
After joining the Reformation in 1529, the church was divided in 1683 on Louis XIV's orders: the choir to the Catholics, the nave to the Protestants. Around 1900 the choir was replaced by the present Catholic church, and since 2012 a door has linked the two parts.
What is there to see in the Catholic part?
Veit Wagner's four carved panels on the life of St Peter, from a 15th-century altarpiece, and Henri Lutzelmann's Passion cycle in the choir. Check opening times with the parish, as the church is still an active place of worship.
What is there to see nearby?
Place Kléber is a few minutes away along Rue du 22-Novembre. To the south, St Thomas' Church, then Petite France, the Ponts Couverts and the Vauban Dam make a fine walking sequence.
