THE AMERICAN CHURCH IN PARIS

What THE AMERICAN CHURCH IN PARIS does

The American Church in Paris (ACP), legally "The American Church in Paris, l'Eglise Americaine de Paris," is a private non-profit religious congregation established in 1814 as the first American church on foreign soil. It operates as a French 1905 Association Cultuelle (SIRET 78430813200017, NAF 9491Z) under the parent oversight of the American and Foreign Christian Union (AFCU), a US 501(c)(3) entity. The church delivers English-language Protestant worship services on Sundays at 11h (traditional liturgy) and 14h (contemporary band-led service), supported by a music program encompassing adult choir, bell choir, children's and youth choirs, and the Still Point worship band. Its physical infrastructure at 65 Quai d'Orsay in Paris's 7th arrondissement includes a 3,000 m² neo-gothic sanctuary built in 1931 with Tiffany and Connick stained-glass windows classified as French national monuments, a 1988 Beckerath organ (3,328 pipes), a restored 1888 Steinway concert grand, and a newly installed Sanctuary A/V system. The congregation represents 40-50+ nationalities on any given Sunday with members drawn from 60+ countries of origin, and serves the broader Paris community through the 100 NOW winter refugee shelter (10-15 nightly guests, 8+ years operating), Sandwich Ministry (200+ sandwiches weekly for Serve the City Paris), Prison Ministry, and the related Franco-American Community Center (FACCP) which hosts bilingual schools, recovery groups, exercise and music classes, basketball leagues, and the Atelier Nouveau concert series.

ACP's revenue model rests on three streams: voluntary donations and tithes from the congregation and global alumni (primary, delivered via bank transfer, online bank card, contactless, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, and Google Pay), facility and room rentals of six differentiated event spaces on hourly/daily/weekly terms, and non-denominational wedding and vow-renewal ceremonies accommodating up to 400 guests. Distribution is omnichannel: in-person services, YouTube livestream and Vimeo archive, the Church Center mobile app, a Mailchimp newsletter, and docent-led sanctuary tours. The organization employs approximately a dozen named staff including a Senior Pastor (Rev. Dr. Paul Rock, since August 2021), Associate Pastors for Congregational Ministries, Youth/Young Adults/Missions, and Children's Ministry, Music Directors, an Executive Administrator, a Director of Operations, an Accountant, and a Wedding & Event Coordinator. Outreach partnerships include Serve the City Paris, Jesuit Refugee Service, Hope for Girls and Women, Love in a Box, and Kabubu.

Name

THE AMERICAN CHURCH IN PARIS

Legal name

The American Church in Paris, l'Eglise Americaine de Paris

Website

https://acparis.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1814

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The American Church in Paris is a non-profit English-speaking Protestant congregation founded in 1814 as the first American church on foreign soil. It serves a 60+ nationality community in Paris through worship, education, music, refugee outreach, and facility rentals from its Quai d'Orsay sanctuary.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services / Protestant Worship Community

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (81311)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Places of Worship & Religious Facilities Operations (Cemeteries, Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Sites) (BPAGAJAL), Faith-Based Missions & Evangelism Organizations (Domestic & International) (BPAGAJAE)

Keywords

• English Protestant worship
• Interdenominational religious community
• Event venue rentals
• Wedding ceremony services
• Community outreach ministry

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Tithes: The primary revenue stream comes from voluntary donations and tithes from congregation members, friends, visitors, and alumni around the world who have been touched by its ministries. Donors can give through bank transfer, online bank card, cash/check, contactless credit cards, and other financial gifts.
2. Room and Space Rentals: Revenue from renting various spaces in the 3000m² Franco-American Community Center building: Theatre (up to 160 theatre style), Sanctuary (up to 400), Thurber Room (up to 150), Library Room (up to 60), Catacombs (up to 20), and Gym (approximately 300m²). Spaces are available hourly, daily, weekly, and longer-term for events, conferences, concerts, sports, and cultural activities.
3. Wedding and Event Services: Revenue from wedding ceremonies, vow renewals, and related event coordination services. The church offers these services to both members and non-members, accommodating intimate settings to large events with up to 400 guests.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The American Church in Paris is an English-language Protestant congregation that provides worship services, Christian education, music programs, weddings and baptisms, and community ministries. It generates supplementary revenue by renting its Sanctuary, Theatre, meeting rooms, and gym for external events, and operates outreach programs including a winter refugee shelter, sandwich ministry, and prison ministry.

Product overview

The American Church in Paris operates as a single unified organization offering interconnected spiritual, educational, and community services rather than a modular product platform. The core offerings center on Sunday worship services (11h traditional and 14h contemporary), supported by music programs including Adult Choir, Bell Choir, Children's and Youth Choirs, and the 14h worship band (Still Point). Family and community ministries include Children's Worship, Youth Ministry, and Young Adult Ministry. The church provides ceremonial services (weddings, baptisms), facility rentals, and outreach programs including the 100 NOW Winter Shelter refugee program, Sandwich Ministry, Community Dinners, and Prison Ministry. Additional services include the Atelier Nouveau concert series, docent tours, prayer ministry, Bible study groups, and the ACP This Week email newsletter. The Church Center mobile app facilitates event registration and community engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ACP This Week: Weekly eblast newsletter for church community
• Church Center App
• 100 NOW Winter Shelter
• Atelier Nouveau Concert Series
• Still Point
• Franco-American Community Center (FACCP)

Products and services

• Sunday Worship Services English-language Protestant worship held Sundays at 11h (traditional liturgy with choir) and 14h (contemporary with Still Point band), with communion on the first Sunday of each month. Children's Worship and nursery/toddler care available during both services. Target audience: English-speaking international community in Paris.
• Worship Livestream Live-streamed Sunday 11h worship service on YouTube, with previously broadcast services available on demand, including closed-captioned subtitles in English and other languages.
• Children's Worship Weekly children's program for ages 3-11 during both 11h and 14h services, engaging children through storytelling, prayer, music, art, play, and age-appropriate discussion. Nursery care available for ages 0-2.
• Youth Ministry Weekly youth group for students ages 11-18 (middle and high school) meeting Sundays during the school year. Focuses on relational, hospitable, missional, and Christian community building.
• Young Adult Ministry Community gathering for young adults ages 18-30, meeting Tuesdays at 19h30. Provides fellowship, study, worship, social outreach, and service opportunities.
• Adult Choir Weekly adult choir singing in the 11h service, rehearsing Wednesday evenings 19h30-21h in the Theatre.
• Bell Choir Handbell ensemble playing monthly in 11h services, welcoming players of varying skill levels. Directed by Mathilde Duriez; rehearsals Thursday evenings 19h-21h.
• Children's and Youth Choirs Music program including children's choir (ages 4-12, 9h45-10h45), youth instrumental ensemble, and youth ensemble (teens, 11h30-12h30). Perform in church once monthly.
• 14h Worship Band (Still Point) Contemporary worship band accompanying the 14h service with guitars, piano, voices, strings, and percussion; formed around 2010; has released albums including 'Savior of the Nations, Come' (2011) and 'More of You' (2014).
• Atelier Nouveau Concert Series Free concert series on selected Sundays at 17h30 featuring world-class artists from the ACP community and beyond. Free entry with voluntary donation supporting artists and ACP ministries.
• Wedding and Vow Renewal Ceremonies Non-denominational Christian wedding and vow renewal services for members and non-members, accommodating intimate settings to large events up to 400 guests. Available regardless of religious background, nationality, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
• Room and Facility Rentals Event space rentals from the Franco-American Community Center including Theatre (up to 160 seats, 170m²), Sanctuary (up to 400 seats, 350m²), Thurber Room (up to 150 seats, 150m²), Library (up to 60 seats, 80m²), Catacombs (up to 20 seats, 25m²), and Gym (300m²). Available 9h-22h30 daily except Sundays; contact Weddings & Room Rentals Coordinator for rates.
• 100 NOW Winter Shelter Winter homeless shelter for refugees in Paris, hosted in the gymnasium. Accommodates 10-15 guests nightly with showers, laundry, and sleeping facilities. Completed 8+ winters of operation.
• Sandwich Ministry Weekly sandwich-making program meeting Thursdays at 17h to prepare over 200 sandwiches for Serve the City Paris, helping feed unhoused persons.
• Community Dinners Fellowship dinners bringing together church community members and refugees, providing fellowship, food, and cultural exchange.
• Paris Prison Ministry Chaplain services to Protestant women at a Paris prison including worship services, Christian singing group, and support for the Sycamore Tree restorative justice program.
• Refugee Dinners Program Hosted dinner program partnering with Jesuit Refugee Service, bringing together ACP hosts with refugees for fellowship and cultural exchange.
• Prayer Requests and Prayer Chain Prayer ministry where Lay Care Ministry, prayer chain members, and the pastoral team uphold individuals in prayer; Prayer Chain participants receive confidential email notifications.
• Lay Care Ministry Commissioned ministry providing care and support for congregation members and friends through prayers, listening presence, and compassionate relationships during times of need.
• ACP This Week Newsletter Weekly email newsletter with church announcements, upcoming events, prayer requests, and community updates.
• Church Center Mobile App Mobile application for event registration, church updates, and community engagement (available on iOS and Android via churchcenter.com/setup).
• Docent Tours Guided tours of the sanctuary offered Thursdays 9h15-10h30 and the 2nd Sunday of each month, covering history, architecture, stained glass windows, and the Beckerath organ.
• Baptism Services Baptisms for adults and children held throughout the year, typically on the third Sunday of the month during 11h and 14h services, requiring advance scheduling.
• Bible Studies and Fellowship Groups Ongoing study and fellowship groups including Men's Fellowship, Women's Fellowship, Sunday Adult Bible Study, Silent Prayer Thursdays, Thurber Conversations, Au Pair Bible Study, Artist's Collective, Young Professionals, African Fellowship, and Filipino Fellowship.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,000 people use the facilities each day
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• American and Foreign Christian Union (AFCU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe American and Foreign Christian Union (AFCU) is ACP's parent organization, charged with maintaining a place and program of Protestant worship for the American community in Paris. The AFCU board consists of alumni of the church who volunteer their time and serve as trustees. The AFCU is a US 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that can issue tax-deductible receipts for US taxpayers. The Senior Pastor reports both to the congregation and to the AFCU, who are the official employers.
• Association of International Churches in Europe and the Middle East (AICEME)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerACP is a member congregation of the Association of International Churches in Europe and the Middle East (AICEME), connecting international churches across the region.
• Franco American Community Center (FACCP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Franco American Community Center (FACCP) is a related non-religious, not-for-profit association that provides a legal structure for community activities at ACP that are not allowed for religious associations in France. More than 2,000 people use the facilities each day through FACCP-organized activities including bilingual schools, recovery groups, exercise and music classes, basketball leagues, and concert series.
• Serve the City Paris (STCP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerServe the City Paris is part of a global movement of international volunteers showing kindness in practical ways to aid refugees and the homeless in Paris. ACP supports STCP by supplying fresh sandwiches, fruit, etc. on a weekly basis, as well as financial support to STCP's food security program.
• Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJRS has many programs to help migrants survive and prosper, including JRS Young Adults which allows asylum seekers and refugees to meet and participate in various activities. ACP partners with JRS to host refugee dinners, with ACP volunteers hosting groups of refugees for fellowship and meals.
• Hope for Girls and WomenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHope for Girls and Women was founded in 2017 by Tanzanian activist Rhobi Samwelly. This organization runs two safe houses in Tanzania which shelter and support those fleeing FGM, child marriage, and gender-based violence. ACP supports this organization through its mission budget and awareness efforts.
• Love in a Box ParisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLove in a Box Paris is a non-profit association that for over 20 years has worked with volunteers to provide holiday presents to children in local homeless shelters, children's homes, and community centers in the Ile-de-France region and beyond.
• KabubuminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKabubu's mission is to facilitate the social and professional inclusion of exiled people through the power of sport. They organize weekly inclusive sports activities bringing together people from all walks of life, free for participants and open to all abilities.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• American Church in London:

Market position

Strengths3 records

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/AmericanChurchParis
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/TheAmericanChurchinParis
• Facebookfacebook.com/AmericanChurchParis
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-american-church-in-paris
• Instagraminstagram.com/americanchurchinparis

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about THE AMERICAN CHURCH IN PARIS