Churches in Mauritius
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Cap Malheureux, Port Louis and the Coast Chapels
Here is the list of 10 Churches in Mauritius
1. Sainte Therese Church, Curepipe
Located in Curepipe, Saint Therese Church was completed in 1872. With tall central spire and two side spires, the church occupies a dominant position in the city of Curepipe. From the time of its foundation, the church has dominated the town landscape and emerged as one of the best attractions in Mauritius. Creating a serene sense of light and space, the interior of this church is covered with intricate designs.
2. Notre Dame de la Visitation
Completed in the year 1864, Notre Dame de la Visitation church is located on the Royal Road close to La Caverne in Vacoas. Though it is a grand church today, its incarnation was humble and simple. Its imposing square tower is considered to the most defining feature and the highlight of the church. It was not added to the main building until the 1930s.
3. Notre Dame Des Anges
The handsome and pale yellow church of Notre Dame Des Anges welcomes you with a signboard bearing 'beware of children'. Located in Mahebourg city, a statue of Pere Laval in this church is considered to be the main attraction here. Laval, a French Catholic priest, is credited with converting 67,000 people to Christianity during his 23 years in Mauritius. He died in 1864 and was beatified in 1979 during a visit by Pope John Paul II.
4. Marie Reine de la Paix Shrine, Port Louis
Located in Port Louis, the church of Chapel and Shrine of Marie Reine de la Paix is surrounded by pleasant ornamental gardens. It is a contemporary structure and is popular with locals and tourists. The church is situated in a hilltop position, which offers great views of the city of Port Louis. The church is of historical importance because Pope John Paul II officiated his first mass in October 1989 when he visited Mauritius.
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5. Saint James Cathedral
Saint James Cathedral is one of the famous landmarks in the capital city, Port Louis. This octagonal spire of Saint James Anglican Cathedral was used by sailors who entered the harbour to ascertain their position easily. The church was opened on Christmas day in 1831 and grew so much in popularity. Due to the increasing number of visitors and tourists, two wings had to be added to the church in 1846, so that it could cater to the needs of increasing congregation.
6. Notre Dame Auxiliatrice, Cap Malheureux
Located in Cap Malheureux, Notre Dame de l'Auxiliatrice is a beautiful church with red-roof and is surrounded by colourful trees during the summer. Cap Malheureux is a fishing village that takes its name back from 1810 when the British landed here to defeat the French in a sudden inland attack. To admire the church overseeing turquoise waters, many visitors pay a visit to Notre Dame de l'Auxiliaire every day.
7. St Francois d'Assise, Pamplemousses
Located a few steps away from the botanical gardens of Pamplemousses, the church of St. Francoise d'Assise is a beautiful church and is worth visiting. Known to be the oldest temple on this island nation, the church dates back to the year 1756. Its stained glass windows and surrounding gardens make it a pleasant church, and the atmosphere is peaceful. Also, just a few metres away from this church lays a graveyard that has been guarding coffins for more than 200 years.
8. St Louis Cathedral, Port Louis
First built in 1756, Cathedral St. Louis is one of the oldest churches in Mauritius. The church was initially intended for worship by the habitats of capital city Port Louis. The church was requisitioned for military purposes during the Seven Years' War. The church was rebuilt in 1814 after a series of exhausting cyclones inflicted damage on the walls of this building.
9. St. Marc Catholic Church
The church is located in Flic en Flac. Situated on the banks of Black River Gorges, the church is a famous destination for all weddings among Mauritians. The interiors of this church are very impressive, and the surroundings give you a respite from your routine. From morning prayers to reading the bible, every event is held with great pleasure. Many people attend the mass and choir is sung cheerfully. The church was constructed in the year 2000 and has gained popularity over the years.
10. St Michel Church
Located in the city of Grand Gaube, the service in this church takes place in either French or Mauritian Creole. Grand Gaude is a town located in the northern part of Mauritius. The mass takes place at around 4 PM on Saturday and 7 PM on Sunday. Surrounded by palm trees, the church is one of the prominent landmarks in Grand Gaube. If you visit this town, you cannot afford to miss visiting St. Michel Church.
Mauritius is one of the more religiously mixed countries anywhere, with a Hindu majority, a large Catholic minority and a substantial Muslim community, and its churches reflect that they were built by French colonists and later filled by a Creole congregation. The one everybody photographs is Notre Dame Auxiliatrice at Cap Malheureux, on the northernmost point of the island, whose bright red roof sits against the lagoon with Coin de Mire offshore behind it. St Louis Cathedral in Port Louis is the seat of the diocese and the largest. Marie Reine de la Paix, on the slope of Signal Mountain above the capital, is a shrine with an amphitheatre and a wide view over the harbour, and it fills for the September pilgrimage to Pere Laval, the missionary buried at Sainte Croix whose tomb draws tens of thousands each year. Services are usually in French and Creole. Dress covered, and avoid wandering through during a Sunday morning mass. See also cities in Mauritius, museums in Mauritius and islands in Mauritius.
This post was published by Sravya Vemuri
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FAQs on Churches in Mauritius
Which is the most photographed church in Mauritius?
Notre Dame Auxiliatrice at Cap Malheureux, on the northern tip of the island. Its red corrugated roof against the blue lagoon, with the island of Coin de Mire behind, is one of the standard images of Mauritius, and it is a short drive from Grand Baie.
What is the main cathedral?
St Louis Cathedral in Port Louis, the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Port Louis. The present building dates from the 1930s, replacing earlier churches on the same site, and it sits in the middle of the capital within walking distance of the Central Market.
How large is the Catholic community in Mauritius?
Roughly a quarter of the population, making it the second-largest religious group after Hindus and ahead of Muslims. Catholicism arrived with French settlement in the eighteenth century and remains strongest among the Creole community.
Who was Pere Laval?
A French missionary priest who worked among freed slaves in nineteenth-century Mauritius and was beatified in 1979. His tomb at Sainte Croix, on the edge of Port Louis, is the island's main pilgrimage site, and the anniversary of his death in September draws very large crowds.
Can visitors attend a service?
Yes, and visitors are welcome. Mass is generally celebrated in French and Creole. Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, arrive before it starts rather than during, and keep photography for outside or for quiet times.
Are the churches open outside service times?
The larger ones in Port Louis and the well-known coastal chapels usually are, during daylight hours. Smaller village churches are often locked between services, and the parish office or a neighbour will sometimes open them if asked.
