SAINT-ANDRÉ CHURCH

The Saint-André church in Morne-à-l'Eau was built in 1930 by the architect Ali Tur, replacing the previous building destroyed by the devastating cyclone of September 1928. Ali Tur was in charge of 120 buildings, including 5 other churches, during the reconstruction of Guadeloupe.

The church is representative of the rich identity of the territory and the introduction of concrete in the constructions. A material that was still very little used at the time, but which will, little by little, take precedence over wooden constructions. The church of Saint Andrew dominates the square on which the presbytery, also built by Ali Tur, opens. The building was built according to a basilical plan with the nave culminating at 13 metres high. It is illuminated by large vertical bays that promote ventilation and produce a play of light. The same principle was used to close the ceiling of the nave and the walls of the tribune. The bell tower, also built in concrete, is now in poor condition and no longer meets earthquake safety standards. Given the high seismic risk in Guadeloupe, it led to the closure of the church in 2013. The restoration work to be carried out includes dismantling and reassembling the concrete bell tower and making the nave accessible.

Saint-André Church was selected by the Heritage Foundation in 2019 among 18 emblematic projects. A welcome aid for its restoration as part of the Heritage Lottery (lottery draws and scratch games).