Saint-Pierre eruption 1902 (≈ 1902)
Afflux of disaster to Fort-de-France.
1924
Creation of the parish
Creation of the parish 1924 (≈ 1924)
Division of the cure of Fort-de-France.
16 juin 2021
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 16 juin 2021 (≈ 2021)
Total protection of the building.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
3e quart XXe siècle
Construction of church
Construction of church 3e quart XXe siècle (≈ 2062)
Period of construction of the monument.
Heritage classified
The church of Saint-Christophe in total (the facades, roofs, interiors and stained glass windows) (Box AM 397): inscription by decree of 26 November 2015
Key figures
Évêque de Martinique - Religious Authority
Created the parish in 1924.
Abbé Grégoire - Toponymic tribute
The eponymous church square.
Origin and history
The Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue church was built as part of a project to develop and remediate the Terres-Sainville district of Fort-de-France. This area, initially marshy, welcomed many victims of Saint Peter after the volcanic eruption of 1902, which destroyed the city. The influx of people made it necessary to create a new parish, officially erected in 1924 by the bishop of Martinique, in order to relieve the congestion of Saint-Louis Cathedral, which had become insufficient to accommodate all the faithful.
The construction of the church marks a turning point in the urban history of Martinique. It symbolizes the end of the bipolar network structured around the port cities of Saint-Pierre and Fort-de-France, while inaugurating a policy of urban renewal. This monument thus illustrates the geographical and political transformations of the island, linked to the population growth and the needs of the suburbs, such as that of the Terres-Sainville.
The church of Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue is classified as a historic monument in total by decree of June 16, 2021, and today is an architectural and social testimony of this period. Its location, place de l'Abbé Grégoire, and its integration into the cadastre (parcelle n°162, section AZ) underline its anchoring in the local heritage. Owned by the commune, it remains a place of worship and a historic landmark for the inhabitants of Fort-de-France.
