April 13

Notre-Dame, Epernay, Marne, Champagne-Ardenne, France

This Gothic revival church, dedicated to Our Lady, patron of the town, succeeded one in the Italian style damaged in 1892 and demolished in 1909. Though the first stone was placed in 1898, and the church opened for worship in 1907, it was not completed until 1915. But in the night of July 24-25, 1918, a bombardment destroyed the vaults of the nave and damaged the facade. The restored church was not consecrated until April 13, 1925. In the church are a stone statue of the Virgin and Child, from about 1200, thought to have come from Notre-Dame de Paris, and some stained-glass windows of the early 1500s from St. Martin's Abbey in Epernay, which was destroyed during the Revolution. Adoration of the Magi (right), photo by Jacques Philippot, 1989, © Inventaire général, ADAGP, www.culture.gouv.fr/public/mistral/palissy_fr. Information from  L'Église catholique du Diocèse de Châlons-en-Champagne, catholique-chalons-en-champagne.cef.fr.   

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