SAINTE-THÉRÈSE CULTURAL BUILDING
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The first church built and sculpted entirely in rapid-setting concrete, in the heart of the Elizabethville district.
This building is a true architectural gem. It was the first church in France to be built and sculpted entirely in concrete. Completed in 1928, it is the work of architect Paul Tournon and sculptor Carlo Sarrabezolles. Built as part of the Franco-Belgian garden city of Elisabethville, it is the result of the development of this holiday resort in the early 20th century. Elisabethville, with its Seine-side beach, was a summer residence for wealthy Parisians. Private villas, theaters, inns - all that was missing was a place of worship. And it was under the impetus of Abbé Albert Mancel that this church was finally built. The Gothic-inspired spire rises to a height of almost 45 m, doubling the height of the nave. The façade, sculpted in direct-set cement using an innovative process at the time, highlights the Franco-Belgian friendship by depicting the two countries' respective patron saints: St. Joan of Arc and St. Michael. Once inside, you'll discover that the building has no reason to be ashamed of its nickname of "cathedral of light", as the luminosity of the various stained glass windows is conducive to the play of light. In 1977, it was included in the supplementary inventory of historic monuments. Renovated in the 1980s, the church retains its function as a place of worship, but also plays a cultural role, hosting exhibitions and concerts.
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