A Beacon on the Seine since 1857
The American Church in Paris (ACP) is an International, Interdenominational English-speaking Protestant Christian Congregation — of all socio-economic backgrounds, ethnicities, races, nationalities, gender identities, and sexual orientations — seeking to bear witness by word and deed to the love of God as revealed in Jesus Christ.
We are an interdenominational and international Christian community whose mission is to bear witness by word and deed to the love of God as revealed in Jesus Christ, to provide a place of English-language worship in the American Protestant tradition, and to engage in ministries and services that enrich the lives of residents and visitors in Paris.
We are an interdenominational and international Christian community whose mission is to bear witness by word and deed to the love of God as revealed in Jesus Christ, to provide a place of English-language worship in the American Protestant tradition, and to engage in ministries and services that enrich the lives of residents and visitors in Paris.
On any given Sunday, there are 40-50+ different nationalities represented. We are a community of faith that celebrates diversity – theologically, generationally, racially, and culturally. People of all ethnicities, economic situations, genders and sexual orientations are welcome at ACP.
ACP is the first American church established outside of the United States. With roots as a home church dating back to 1814, ACP was officially chartered and the original site for a building was purchased in 1857. We have been in ministry at the quai d’Orsay location since 1931. Among its many esteemed guest preachers have been Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Rev. Jesse Jackson.
ACP's Affirmation of Welcome and Inclusion:
- We believe that we are called to love and welcome all people of all socio-economic backgrounds, ethnicities, races, nationalities, gender identities, and sexual orientations.
- We believe that all who place their faith in Jesus Christ and seek to be his disciple may become members of our church.
- We believe that all members of the ACP should have the same rights and responsibilities.
Full text of Affirmation of Welcome and Inclusion at ACP here.
ACP's Vision, Mission, and Values
Embracing the biblical charge to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly (Micah 6:8), we joyfully and whole-heartedly commit ourselves to discerning and doing the good work prepared for us by the grace of God (Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 2:8-10).
- Vision – The American Church in Paris community hears God calling us to be the light of the world, a city on a hill that cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:14), and more specifically, a beacon on the Seine.
Responding to God’s heart for the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:1-3), we shall be a house of prayer for all peoples (Isaiah 56:7) and seek the shalom of the city into which God has sent us (Jeremiah 29:7).
Obeying Christ’s commission to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:17-20), we seek to equip the people of God for ministry (Ephesians 4:16), preach the gospel to all creation (Mark 16:15), and grow deeper in freedom, faith and love (Galatians 5:1-6). Keeping in step with the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:25) who builds strangers into the household of God (Ephesians 2:17-22), we regard one another as new creations, pursuing the ministry of reconciliation with God and neighbor and amongst ourselves (2 Corinthians 5:16-20). - Mission – The mission of the American Church in Paris, an interdenominational and international Christian community, is to bear witness by word and deed to the love of God as revealed in Jesus Christ, to provide a place of English-language worship in the American Protestant tradition, and to engage in ministries and services that enrich the lives of residents and visitors in Paris and around the world.
- Values – At ACP we particularly value passionate worship, prayerful practices, celebratory diversity, local and international service, center-set community, Christian devotion, grace-based relationships, radical hospitality, creation care, spiritual transformation, generous stewardship, Sabbath restoration, creative ministry, inclusive welcome, and risky faith
ACP's Faith Statement – What do we believe?
Theologically, the American Church in Paris may be characterized as belonging to the historic Christian mainstream. Our constitution states:
The Church recognizes the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the revelation of God in matters of faith and practice, and it accepts as a symbol of our union with the great body of Christians, living and dead, the spiritual truths embodied in the Apostle’s Creed. The church asserts its belief in the freedom and responsibility of the individual and the right of private judgment exercised under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.