PARISH OF THE HOLY HEART - SAINT GABRIEL
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The first chapel was built in 1850 during the stay of Father Thévaux, a priest sent from Mauritius by Father Jacques-Désiré
The first chapel was built in 1850, during the stay of Father Thévaux, a priest sent from Mauritius by Father Jacques-Désiré Laval, the apostle of the mother island. The chapel was then in the form of a hut of 16 m long by 8 m wide, made of trunks of lataniers and covered with leaves. It was the first on the island, along with that of Saint-Cœur-de-Marie in Port Mathurin. Devastated several times by fire and cyclones, it was rebuilt each time.
The present form of the cathedral of Saint Gabriel dates from 1939. The work began in 1934, on the initiative of Father Legault: the cutting of stones and blocks of coral coming essentially from the limestone plains of the west of the island. Then Father Wolff encouraged the Rodriguans to continue the construction and to build the sanctuary. For several years, faithful and clergy participated in the work. Hundreds of volunteers, young and old, travelled the island carrying on their heads sand, cement, lime, coral blocks and metal sheets. The church was inaugurated on December 10, 1939 by Bishop James Leen in the presence of thousands of Rodriguans. This huge stone building, framed with wood, has 1,730 seats and 250 standing places. Its sanctuary is one of the largest in the Diocese of Port Louis. The church continues to be very busy on Sundays at both the 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. services. The atmosphere is as warm as a Creole mass!