Saint Pierre le Jeune~

On By cindy knokeIn Conservation, EXTERIOR & INTERIOR DESIGN, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, Tech Marvels, TRAVEL REVIEWS

The ‘Young’ Church of St Peter, is an old and unusual church in Strasbourg, France.


The oldest, and lowest part of the church is the burial crypt, which was built-in the 7th century.


The church itself was consecrated in 1053, and three of the remaining columns supporting the arched interior galleries in the church date from the 11th century.

The bulk of the church as it stands now was built between 1250-1320 and many of the frescoes you see are originals from the 14th century. In 1682, the church was divided into two sections, half for catholics and the other half for protestants, which seems quite forward thinking and civilized, doesn’t it! The pipe organ is a relative newbie, built-in 1780.


Strasbourg is full of old and amazing churches, but the old, ‘Young Church of St. Peter’, is off the beaten path, less visited, and remarkable in terms of history, architecture and art. All of these factors combined create a truly amazing sense of ancient sacredness. It is a church you may well want to linger in.

We are home at The Holler, but it is cheers to you from the glorious Saint-Pierre le Jeune~

179 thoughts on “Saint Pierre le Jeune~”

  2. Stunning … absolutely stunning. I appreciate this because we love going in old churches -especially in Europe.

    PS: I can’t believe I’m so early here. 😉

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  9. Wow, the church is beautiful. I love the color coordination of wall, pillars and the ceiling. The color tones are pastel like too. Great captures of the place!

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      1. It was hard to capture them with the interior lighting. I hope it didn’t detract, because the iron lanterns and chandeliers, in the form of saints and angels, were exquisite.

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  20. That was a period when they seemed to build a lot of those old churches. Did you get a chance to hear the pipe organ, Cindy? I bet it was a beauty!
    Leslie

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      1. We’re fine, thank you, Cindy. South of Scandinavia it’s very warm, but in Norway 🇳🇴and Sweden🇸🇪 it is simply perfect 🙏🏻16-23°
        Enjoy your Sunday!📷

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  40. Thanks for sharing this lovely, ancient cathedral, Cindy. Your photos do a great job of capturing the immensity, and your narrative fills in its history nicely. Funny to think a relative “new” part is from 1780.

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  43. Amazing, Cindy! It’s beautiful & I agree half for Catholics & half for Protestants was very forward thinking.
    I saw some fabulous churches in remote places in Equador, S.A. They were all Catholic. Remarkable what people did centuries ago, for and in the name of God… or even Gods of any beliefs.

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    1. I know just what you mean. Central and South America has such a different expression of catholic art, all of it a unique expression of culture and faith that is truly beautiful and moving to experience.

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  51. Another one I hadn’t heard of — thank you, Cindy! Amazing how one church can suffice for many religions. Hmm, maybe if we did more of that today, the surplus money could be shared with the poor and hungry??

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  52. From so long ago in the year that started with 10 – -! Wow, I guess I never realized how ancient places like this are, Cindy. The relics and frescos with intricately painted stories amazed me. It hardly looks as old as the dates reveal.
    I have been in Spanish and Mexican churches, grottos and cathedrals but may have been less informed as I was in high school. Youth lends less attention to details. Thank you, dear friend. 💐

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    1. Yes, we don’t begin to truly appreciate the old stuff until we start getting old I guess! Thank you for stopping by my friend. It is always lovely to hear from you. <3

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  57. Simply fabulous. In the UK, we only have hints at what some of our churches must have looked like before the Reformation – something like this, I imagine! Love the idea of splitting it into two sections, one for the RCs and one for the Ps – how very egalitarian; if only the rest of the world had been that far-sighted!

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    1. “how very egalitarian; if only the rest of the world had been that far-sighted!”
      I so agree with you and wish the world would be equivalently tolerant today! At times we seem to be regressing into more and more hostility and intolerance towards difference. This church is an exception isn’t it! Loved your comments and love the UK’s gorgeous churches. Interesting about the post Reformation changes. I did find the art work in this church to be just so warm, welcoming and unusual.

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  58. Exquisite. How amazing that they shared the church. Very possibly a unique situation. Would love to know more of the history of the people who managed to do that. Have enjoyed this trip very much. Missed some since my husband went back into the hospital. So, I’m trying to catch up now.

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      1. Thanks, Cindy. He has Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis which is progressive and incurable. They removed all the cancerous tumor in his lung this spring, but the surgery seems to have caused some deterioration and lowered his resistance to pneumonia. Antibiotics and steroids have him back to work now. It’s challenging, but he is a very determined resilient person. And we laugh a lot in spite of the hard times. Many moments of pure grace.

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        1. Yes.
          Well.
          The truth is no person knows who they actually are until they face severe trauma personally, which of course, everyone eventually has to do. And then, maybe, this becomes the test for them.
          At least it is for me.
          My choice to myself is how will I respond.
          All I know all the time, is that all people will suffer. I guess it is really what to do with this that matters.
          But, I am just telling you what you actually know. You are already way ahead of me in figuring this out.
          Love to both of you~ <3

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    1. What an interesting point you make, that people who have less may appreciate art more. Afterall, if you live in a palace surrounded by art, this church may seem less impressive. I always imagine these amazing churches providing comfort and beauty to people with little in terms of possessions or power and now you have solidified these thoughts in my mind. Thank you.

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  63. Pingback: MY FAVORITE BLOGS – Tanssitytön blogi

    1. Isn’t that an amazing spiritual experience! I remember each one that I have experienced in great detail and have written each of them down with my end of life papers for my children after I’m gone. I feel sure you will write about yours in your own indomitable spiritual way Wendell and feel humbled to be connected to this experience with you. <3

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  65. When I visit these places I generally feel awed by the ability to touch walls that someone also might have touched in 1250 ! Tis a mind-blown moment for me. The fresco’s made me think of the Crusades. There was so much turmoil in these centuries between Christains and Muslims, so it was interesting that by 1682, two religions were willing to share the church. Can the world survive these religious differences today? I guess we’ll find out. Thanks for the tour my dear, enjoyable as always ! xo Boomdee

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    1. It seems that we may need, in this instance, to look backwards to find our way forward. I feel the same sense of sacred connection you describe in many of these living history churches. They are time machines that transport us down the same aisles, under the same ceilings and frescoes, walked by our sisters so many hundreds of years ago. It is an amazing and humbling experience~ <3

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  66. This is one of my favorite posts lately Cindy!! So gorgeous! and surprisingly old and well preserved. Loved the Angel light fixture!! Does it still function as a Catholic/protestant church??
    Adding this to my travel wish list!! xox

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    1. Oh I do hope you visit here Rhonda. You will be incredibly moved by the experience and I would love to hear your impressions. The church has been Lutheran since 1524 and is part of the Protestant Church of Augsburg Confession of Alsace and Lorraine. <3

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  68. What a lovely church, with an interesting history and the colours are utterly stunning. It makes one feel as though you are walking through the church. Quite often churches off the beaten track, hold many a gem!

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    1. Yes, the lesser visited churches are often the most rewarding to visit. My husband and I got locked in an old church at night in Austria. Your comment reminded of this. I need to do a post on it. We had to use the flash in my camera to see a nano second per flash. It was quite an experience!

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  73. Very interesting post, Cindy! I agree it was rather forward thinking to divide the church between Catholics and Protestants. Often it seems that Catholics view “Catholic” and “Christian ” as being synonymous.

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