Church of Saint-Leon is the name of St. Leo I the Great, the first time approved the rule of the Pope on the Christian patriarchs. As often happens, the patron saint of the church has been chosen so that its name matches the name of the person whose donation made it possible to finance the construction - it was a wealthy parishioner Leon Fele.

The story of the church is standard for Paris early XX century: the rapid economic development of the neighborhoods south of the Eiffel Tower and the rapid growth of the population demanded the construction of the temple. The building in the Romanesque style developed by the architect Emile Brunet. He used materials which can dramatically speed up construction and reduce its cost: reinforced concrete and brick. Construction began in 1924, completed it was exactly ten years.

The church dedicated to Leo I the Great, who played in the history of the Catholic Church a special role. Elected to the papacy in 440, he vigorously fought the sweeping while the Christian world heresies. It was Leo I was able to approve the special status of the Pope follows directly from the words of Christ, said the first bishop of Rome, the apostle Peter: "... You - Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." The saint had a rare personal courage: in 452, he personally went to meet Attila the Hun leader and persuaded of not destroy Rome. Three years later, the pope repeated the feat, he met with the leader of the Vandals Geiseric - he came to the Eternal City, but did not betray it to fire and sword. Leo I the Great was the first pope to be buried in St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

Bright and harmonious appearance of the church of Saint-Leon make it worthy patron saint. Mosaic pediment depicts St. Leo. The interior of the temple is also a special place in a beautiful mosaic on important episodes of the first acts of the Pope: reconciliation of warring, propitiation barbarians, reading documents Chalcedon. Acts of Pope dedicated and colorful stained glass works of Auguste Labur.

The choir of the church is decorated with wonderful Byzantine mosaics, arches and decorated with wrought iron ornaments, made master Raymond Suba. In the chapel of St. Joseph is an unusual relief Henri Bouchard: the head of the Holy Family rested his hands on the shoulders of the baby Jesus, they are surrounded by ordinary carpentry equipment - saw, planer, bench.