Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Saint-André church of Saint-André, located on the island of La Réunion, came into being in 1740, when the 45 families in the area, deprived of places of worship, requested the construction of a chapel. The climatic conditions and the distance from the other churches (Sainte-Suzanne, Saint-Benoît) make it difficult to travel. In 1743, a first wooden chapel was erected under the direction of Father Jean-Antoine d'Urre de Beaumetz, but a fire destroyed it in 1750. A masonry church replaced it in 1752 before being razed in 1795 by the Colonial Assembly in response to the counter-revolutionary revolts of the settlers.

In 1797, the parish was restored, but without a church or parish priest until the arrival of Father Minot in 1817. The latter launched the construction of a new church, blessed in 1821 and consecrated in 1852 by Bishop Florian Desprez, the first bishop of the colony. Father Minot, who died in 1856, was buried in the church in recognition of his dedication. The building, marked by cyclones (1944-1948) and expansion works (1960-1964), houses since 2006 a relic of St Andrew, offered by the Archbishop of Amalfi.

The church architecture, eclectic in style, combines neoclassical elements (six-span nave, basalt colonnades) and neo-gothic elements (gove vaults, bell tower arrow). The stained glass windows, created by Charles Carrère in the 1960s by Father Emile Baptiste, illustrate biblical scenes. Inside, statues of the Virgin Mary, Joseph and Jesus are accompanied, outside, by a statue of Joan of Arc (1899), a wooden and basalt calvary (1892), and a statue of the Virgin. These elements testify to his central role in Saint-André's spiritual and community life.

The relic of St.Andreus, a jaw fragment preserved since 1208 in Del Duomo Cathedral of Amalfi, was solemnly handed over in 2006 by Monsignor Orazio Sorricelli to Monsignor Aubry. This event, marked by the presence of a thousand faithful, strengthened the prestige of the church. The stained glass windows, whose manufacture and transportation from the metropolis are told by Charles Carrère, add a unique artistic dimension, combining traditional know-how and religious symbolism.

The church's history reflects the political tumults of Reunion: destruction during the Revolution, post-colonial reconstruction, and resilience to cyclones. Father Minot, an emblematic figure, embodies pastoral commitment, while the enlargements of the 20th century, led by Father Respond, and the restorations (2001-2004) with the C.H.A.M, ensure its sustainability. Today, the church remains a place of pilgrimage and memory, linked to the cultural identity of Reunion.

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