ST. EUSTACHE - PARIS, FRANCE

ST. EUSTACHE IN PARIS WAS BUILT BETWEN 1532-1637.  IT IS LOCATED AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE ANCIENT PARIS MARKET, LES HALLES.  ST. EUSTACHE IS NAMED FOR A ROMAN GENERAL OF THE 2ND CENTURY AD WHO WAS BURNED, ALONG WITH HIS FAMILY, FOR CONVERTING TO CHRISTIANITY.  

DURING THE FRENCH REVOLUTION THE CHURCH WAS DESECRATED AND LOOTED AND EVEN USED AS A BARN.  THE ORIGINAL DUCROQUET CONSTRUCTED ORGAN WITH 8,000 PIPES WAS REPUTED TO BE THE LARGEST IN FRANCE.  THE CURRENT ORGAN WAS BUILT IN 1989 AND THEY KEPT A FEW RANKS OF PIPES FROM THE ORIGINAL.

LOUIS XIV RECEIVED COMMUNION HERE AND MOZART CHOSE THE SANCTUARY  FOR HIS MOTHER'S FUNERAL.  THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS WERE DESIGNED BY SOULIGNAC IN 1632.