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Origin and history

Saint-Augustin Church in Saint-Claude is a Catholic church located in the city of Saint-Claude, south of the island of Basse-Terre in Guadeloupe. It was erected in 1843 on the site of an old private chapel belonging to the Lepelletier de Montéran family. Dedicated to Saint Augustine of Hippo because of the common name with Bishop Theodore-Augustine Forcade, it became parish church in 1859. Its architecture, marked by a South American façade, is complemented by statues of Peter, Paul and Augustin at the beginning of the 20th century.

The church was built over several decades: it was blessed in 1844 by Abbé Brien, consecrated in 1858 by Bishop Forcade, and completed in the late 1860s with the erection of the bell tower in 1868. The bells were installed in 1869. In 1910, the facade was enriched with statues, and in 1932, the architect Ali Tur rehabilitated the bell tower and sacristy, while building a new presbytery. The chapel of the Vœu de Matouba is attached to this parish.

The building is distinguished by its main nave framed by two lateral naves, a layout typical of colonial churches. Its history reflects the religious and architectural evolution of Guadeloupe in the 19th century, mixing European and local influences. The dedication to Saint Augustine and its central role in the community make it an emblematic monument of Saint-Claude.

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