LINZOLO CATHOLIC MISSION
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Catholic mission founded by Father Augouard with authentic bell tower, tomb and pilgrimage site nearby
Founded by Father Augouard and the brothers Kraft and Pâris in January 1884, the Catholic mission was established on the Cataractes plateau following a blunder on the part of De Brazza, who for a time blocked his establishment in the country's future capital. Prosper Augouard and his team first built a camp before negotiating with some twenty chiefs to acquire the land and establish the Catholic Mission.
The agreement was finally signed, along with a peace treaty with the customary authorities of the Pool region, who symbolically buried their weapons in the mission's central square at the top of the hill. Today, the colonial buildings remain. The first church is the oldest building in the Congo. It is still standing, but was destroyed by fire during the civil war. However, its authentic bell tower was added in 1898. It has since been restored, but is no longer used as a place of worship. A modern church in the shape of a large straw hut was built next door in 1983, containing carved panels of religious scenes. Nearby is the tomb of the mission's founding father, Monseigneur Augouard, where believers often come to pay their respects. Also nearby, a sacred spring gushing from a grotto is a place of pilgrimage for many Christians from Brazzaville and beyond. In January 2024, the mission will celebrate 140 years of existence.
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