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Saint-Louis Cathedral
Religious building, Listed or registered (CNMHS), Historic site and monument
in Fort-de-France
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Around 1674, a simple straw-covered shelter was mentioned as a church. Burnt down by the Dutch, it was replaced by a solid structure built between 1678 and 1685 at the instigation of Governor Charles de Courbon-Blénac.
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According to Father Labat, who visited it around 1695, it was 130 feet long by 30 feet wide and had two chapels.
In 1703, the numerous repairs transformed it into a rather vast building, with heavy and thick walls, covered with tiles. In 1829, new benches were installed as well as a grandstand covering the entire width of the building. The inhabited dwellings which existed until then on either side of the porch were not removed until 1836, in order to limit the risks of fire. Still standing...According to Father Labat, who visited it around 1695, it was 130 feet long by 30 feet wide and had two chapels.
In 1703, the numerous repairs transformed it into a rather vast building, with heavy and thick walls, covered with tiles. In 1829, new benches were installed as well as a grandstand covering the entire width of the building. The inhabited dwellings which existed until then on either side of the porch were not removed until 1836, in order to limit the risks of fire. Still standing after the earthquake of 1839, however, the church presented many degradations that made it necessary to close it to worship. The services then took place in the large room of the civil hospice.
The first stone of the new building was laid in 1845, and the work was directed by the government engineer architect Jolly. Martinique having been directed in bishopric, the church inaugurated in 1854 became a cathedral. It was then reputed as the most beautiful and the largest of the colony and rich in important furniture. In 1861, the zinc roof was replaced by tiles.
The great fire of June 22nd, 1890, however, ravaged the building. The roof was temporarily rebuilt and was in turn washed away by the 1891 cyclone. A wooden shed was then installed on the square of Savane. Thanks to donations from parishioners, new bells were bought and placed in shelters while awaiting reconstruction. The new building was inaugurated on July 2nd 1895 by Bishop Carméné.
Of Romano-Byzantine inspiration, the building measuring 66 meters long and 24 meters wide has a metal framework. Only the furniture and the doors are made of wood. In 1971, the spire, severely shaken by the 1953 earthquake, was removed, as was part of the bell tower. Major works were undertaken between 1976 and 1979 by the town council under the direction of the engineer François Lubin, who decided to completely restore the building.
The bell tower, 58.80 metres high, is topped by a 25-metre spire, covered with three thousand bronze aluminium scales. On December 15th 1979, a solemn Mass marked the reopening of the cathedral.
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