CATHÉDRALE SAINT-LOUIS
Long damaged by time and erosion, the oldest church in West Africa has been restored to its former glory after more than a year of renovation. For a long time without a place of worship, the Christians of Saint-Louis gathered in the 18th century in various places in the city to pray to God. After the departure of the English in 1817, who had forbidden all religious ceremonies, the arrival of Anne-Marie Javouhey, founder of the order of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny in 1822, changed the situation. Indeed, the nun demanded the construction of a real church for the faithful and was supported by the colonial authorities. Thus, the foundation stone was laid on February 11, 1827 by Baron Roger and the church was consecrated on November 4, 1828. At the beginning, the church was built in the classical style, but over time it underwent important architectural transformations, such as the addition of a neoclassical door on the outside. The church did not become a cathedral until 1966 with the arrival of the first bishop on the island, Prosper Dobbs, who now rests in the building. Financed by the French Development Agency, the work was carried out by the company Eiffage, which had to follow very precise specifications in order to take into account all the specificities related to the renovation of the cathedral. The stained glass windows have been restored to their former colors and illustrate the theological virtues through scenes of life. As for the organ, which arrived from France in 1890, it is the only one that can be repaired in Senegal.
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