When you open the doors of the Saint-Paul Protestant church in Strasbourg (Bas-Rhin), don’t be surprised if you see the pastor behind a counter. Since November 30, 2024, Marie-Claire Gaudelet has opened a pop-up café and a coworking space in the building. She is testing this unique concept in France until the end of December 2025 after thinking about the project for three years with her team. “Among Protestants, the church is not sacred like it is among Catholics. We are used to mixing worship and culture”she explains straight away.
“We have thirty places behind the curtain. You will find tables and sofas there »takes us on a tour of the 36-year-old woman who was inspired by Anglo-Saxon and German models. It has been such a success that new chairs have recently been added to meet demand. “We have locals but also visitors who come to the Advent market. There are a lot of Spaniards but also Germans and Swiss”she congratulates herself. The coworking space is popular with students, researchers and professors from the very close Strasbourg faculty. “We are two pedestrian crossings from the university. Students come here to relax between two exams”she says.
A place integrated into the church
The café is only open from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We warm our hearts and bodies by enjoying a tea, a juice, a cookie or a macaroon from Elisabeth Biscarrat, the winner of Master Chef in 2011. “We are not a bistro, so we do not have a license to sell alcohol”continues Marie-Claire Gaudelet.
On the other side of the curtain, church life does not seem to be disturbed. Curious people have been visiting the building, which has been classified as a historic monument since 1998. Some come to admire the largest symphony organ in Alsace, others to reflect. “Despite the noise of the coffee machine and the cups, we will not disturb you. We had studied this before. It’s thanks to the curtain and the carpet”promises the pastor.
Finance restoration work
If this innovative idea brings life to Saint-Paul church and promotes social ties, the parish has another objective in mind. The building, built between 1892 and 1897, is in danger. It will have to undergo heavy restoration work, the amount of which is estimated at ten million euros. If half is supported by the General Directorate of Cultural Affairs (Drac) and the City, five million remains a colossal budget to be raised by believers and Marie-Claire Gaudelet. Coffee is an opportunity to communicate about the situation.
On the menus, the prices of drinks and other delicacies are indicated at indicative prices. Customers actually give whatever amount they want. “But it is not with a few coffees that we will reach five million”recognizes the pastor. So, she deployed a communications strategy. On the table, QR codes are clearly visible. By flashing them, visitors are sent to the Le Cœur à l’oeuvre website which presents upcoming work and encourages donations. “We also hope to attract the attention of big patrons”slips Marie-Claire Gaudelet who continues the interviews.
“There is clearly danger in the house”
In 2025, “the zero sentence” will begin. It consists of making the church accessible. “It was built for the German army. There are 15 gates for each regiment. But at the time, accessibility wasn’t really a concern…”the pastor explains to us. Then it will be time to bring the fire safety system up to standard and then work on the roof which is no longer watertight, the stained glass windows, the metal frame, the organ which is classified as a historic monument. “There is clearly danger in the house. Everything is urgent. We created a foundation Saint-Paul Fund 1897 in November 2023 who takes care of the site »she summarizes.
In a few days, the pop-up cafe is supposed to close. However, Marie-Claire Gaudelet does not hide that the concept could continue with a few modifications. “We cannot yet draw conclusions from this test. We want to be careful. So far the reception has been extremely favorable. We would like to perpetuate the idea”she confirms to us. She is even thinking about installing a terrace in summer and obtaining a license to have the right to sell alcohol. “But first, there will be other projects”she promises without saying more. The restoration project is due to be completed in 2032.
