The foundation stone for St Paul’s Monaco was laid in October 1923 and so our centenary journey begins in October 2023, preparing for a full year of activities and events in 2025 to mark the 100th anniversary of the official dedication of the church building.
Dani Carew’s book on the history of St Paul’s Church charts the significant events in the formation of a Church dedicated to the Glory of God. The photographs and texts record the key personalities who were involved at the time and provide an insight into those formative days.
For many years Dani has had a passion for the work of Sightsavers, an international non-governmental organisation that works with partners in developing countries to treat and prevent avoidable blindness and promote equality for people with visual impairments and other disabilities.
All proceeds from donations will go directly to that charity. The suggested minimum donation is 25 euros.
The book is available from the chaplain by contacting him on his email address. chaplain@stpaulsmonaco.com.
Please do support this worthy cause if you are able.
Fr Hugh
Taken in 1893 this is the oldest photograph in the Church archive. They are all members of Pile and Company workshop, based at that time in Monte Carlo who were responsible for the maintenance of St Cyprian’s English speaking church in Beausoleil, France. The name can be seen on the hats worn by the two figures on the extreme right and left hand side of the image.
Established in 1924, St Paul’s construction started in October 1923. This first milestone in the church’s history was marked by the Duke of Kent and the Duke of Connaught who can be seen in this photo.
Although the church is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, several artefacts in the church date from much earlier. St Cyprien’s Church in Beausoleil was demolished after the First World War and various artefacts were transferred to St Paul’s in 1924. These include the church bell, now in the chaplain’s vestry, the oak altar at the west end, the memorial brass altar cross and candlesticks and a number of memorials that are displayed on the south wall, just in front of the Lady Chapel.
His Royal Highness, the Lord Connaught laid the Foundation stone on the 27th of February 1923. In spite of great research, it cannot be located with any certainty, other than the broad knowledge that it is at the north eastern end on the church site. Lord Connaught was the third, and supposedly, the favourite son of Queen Victoria and her Consort, Prince Albert. He lived to the age of 91, held various British military appointments and was made Great mountain Chief of the Stoney-Nakoda First Nation in Canada and was adopted into the Mohawk peoples with the name Kavakoudge, roughly translated as “The Sun flying east to west under the guidance of the Great Spirit.” There is no similar title in Anglican tradition.
On the same day, the Right Reverend John H Greig, the then Lord Bishop of Gibraltar and Europe dedicated it. Bishop Greig served his curacy in Sydenham and was a Wilberforce Missionary in south London. According to reports on the day, the visage of a High Church Anglican Bishop adorned in ecclesial cope and mitre, crozier in hand, with his pectoral cross hanging around his neck and an episcopal ring on the index finger of his right hand, caused some degree of confusion amongst the French protestants who attended the service.
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