Destroyed by Irma, the bell tower of the Catholic church of Gustavia will be rebuilt

JEK

Senior Insider
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THE GUSTAVIA BELLS WILL SOON FIND THEIR HISTORICAL BUILDING
by V.A 06/17/2020
Photo> Catholic bell tower in 2014 and 2017 after the passage of Irma


Destroyed by Irma, the bell tower of the Catholic church of Gustavia will be rebuilt by the end of the year, in accordance with the standards assigned to this building dated 1881. A look back at the eventful history of this small building located in the presbytery garden.


The history of this bell tower is tumultuous. Located behind the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption in Gustavia, destroyed by Irma in 2017, it will be rebuilt in the coming months under the supervision of a heritage architect. It’s far from the first time a hurricane has hit the church building.


The Catholic church was built between 1822 and 1829; it had a bell tower on its roof. The cyclone of August 2, 1837 took everything. The inhabitants of Saint-Barthélemy then opted for a bell tower dissociated from the church itself, for more security in the face of climatic hazards. In 1842, the church was rebuilt, with a wooden bell tower in front of the entrance to the presbytery. In 1881 a more solid volcanic stone building replaced it. Cost of construction at the time, 1,500 francs.


26 francs in 1911
It is the same structure that stands today in the rue du Père Robert-Dugon, behind the church. Except for one of the upper corners, the stone part resisted Irma. The two bronze bells are also original. The largest was founded in 1842 in the United States. These Latin words are inscribed on it: “Soli Deo Gloria - Assumptionis Eclesia Gustaviae - In Insula Sancti Bartheolomei - Anno DNIC 1842” (To God alone glory - Church of the Assumption of Gustavia - In the island of Saint Barthélémy, in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ 1842).






In 1911, a period of lean times in Saint-Barthélemy, the bell tower appeared in an inventory. The value of the building is estimated at 800 francs, 400 francs for the bells, and the land itself is not worth more than 26 francs. At the beginning of the century, the bell tower suffered from the lack of means necessary for its maintenance. Cyclones hit it hard, repairs were done every time, but no real reconstruction. It was not until the end of the 20th century that a real renovation took place in 1994.




In 2017, Irma destroyed the upper part of the bell tower, threw the bells and their support to the ground, but the stone part resisted. The technical services of the Community have cleaned up the debris, but kept the bells and some recoverable parts, in particular the cross which surmounted the building and the louvers, these kinds of wooden shutters which let light into the head of the bell tower . The sound of the main bell must be adjusted by a specialist. The second is under cover, in good condition. The Collectivity calls upon a carpenter who will have to rebuild the belfry, support of the bell, in the rules of the art: the building is registered with the historic buildings since 1995.
The total cost of the reconstruction is 245,400 euros. The Executive Council has asked the Directorate of Cultural Affairs for assistance of 50,000 euros, and is awaiting a response. The mission led by Stéphane Bern and the National Heritage Foundation had offered 30,000 euros for this project. An agreement between the two parties was signed in April 2019 for this agreement to succeed.





> History and photos from the presentation report by heritage architect Tristan Schebat.
 
The first translation of "En 1911, période de vaches maigres à Saint-Barthélemy," Was a little too [FONT=Roboto, sans-serif]literal[/FONT] - "a period of lean cows" :cool:
 
And I had a thought back to Egypt and the time of the Pharoah when Joseph had his dreams about the 7 lean years.
 
Great to hear! And, I enjoyed reading a little bit of the bell towers history...very interesting.
 
here's a little something on the historic buildings on the island, bell tower included...


THE HISTORIC BUILDINGS OF SAINT BARTHÉLEMY
Seven exceptional buildings in Saint Barthélemy are on the official list of French Historic Monuments. What do they have in common? They were all built during the Swedish period in the island’s history: between March 7, 1785, the date the first Swedes arrived, and March 16, 1878, the date of the island’s retrocession to France.
The first building, the Dinzey House, was listed in 1990 at the request of its owner. Five other buildings were listed in 1995, following a request made in 1991 by mayor Daniel Blanchard. These structures comprise the Swedish battlements at Fort Gustav, the bell tower at the Catholic Church in Lorient, the Swedish bell tower in Gustavia, the Catholic Church in Gustavia, and the Governor’s House.
The pretty Creole building which houses the Maison des Sœurs Saint Paul de Chartres and the rectory in Lorient have not been listed. The most recent addition to the list is the Catholic rectory in Gustavia, which was added in 2002.

When The Island Was Swedish

Was it Christopher Columbus who actually discovered the island during his second voyage and named it after his brother Bartholomew? Or was it actually his brother, who had also equipped three boats for this second voyage, and named the island after himself, as suggests Georges Bourdin in his book, “The History of Saint Barthélemy?"

As there is absolutely no mention of this discovery noted in Columbus’ journals, there is room to wonder. Yet one thing is certain: after being occupied by the Amerindians, Saint Barthélemy was of Spanish nationality, before becoming French, then it was briefly a possession of the Order of Malta, then once again French, then Swedish, and finally French.

After a treaty was drawn up in 1784 between Swedish King Gustav III and French King Louis XVI, Saint Barthélemy was exchanged to give France the right to access the port of Gothenburg and occupy a few warehouses there. The first Swedes (of which there were 56) took possession of the island on March 7, 1785 and began to build a town around the harbor, which at the time had but 23 inhabitants, six of which were slaves. The town was declared a neutral, free port in September 1785 and was named Gustavia in 1786, in tribute to Swedish King Gustav III (1746-1792).

The town was laid out by Samuel Fahlberg, who was a doctor and secretary to the governor, but also a land surveyor and talented mapmaker. In 1804, on one of his last maps, Fahlberg listed 64 blocks, divided into 403 plots of land, on which there were 954 houses and 42 cisterns. The population of the island jumped from 749 inhabitants when the Swedes first arrived to 5,763 inhabitants in the census of 1815, of which 4,049 lived in Gustavia. This was a golden age; it would not last very long.

The multiplication of duty-free ports in the region and the end of colonial wars meant fewer merchant ships coming into the port. The economy started a downward slide and with it, the interest of the Swedish crown. The retrocession of the island to France took place on August 10, 1877, with a treaty signed in Paris. It was not until a year later, on March 16, 1878, after a local referendum, that Saint Barthélemy once again had French nationality.

* During the Swedish period, the English briefly dominated the island, from March 20, 1801 to July 10, 1802. Without a declaration of war, an English flotilla seized Gustavia and confiscated Swedish boats and warehouses. They even began to build a fort overlooking the town (English Fort), and its foundation stones still exist. After the signature of an agreement between Sweden and England, the English left the island on July 10, 1802.


AUGUST NYMAN, HERO OF 1810

1810 was the year that saw a large uprising of the population against the Swedish administration. After several months of discontent, a riot broke out in September 1810.
To put an end to the tension, Samuel Fahlberg, who was secretary to the governor and captain of the militia, gave an order to charge the cannons on the battlements of Fort Gustav and aim them toward the town. This order was contested by corporal August Nyman, who refused to obey and thus avoided a probable massacre.

Promoted as lieutenant, August Nyman died less than four years later, at the age of 35. It was in his memory that Johan Niklas Bystrom of Sweden sculpted a marble urn between 1814 and 1817. The urn was first placed on the tomb of August Nyman in the cemetery at Public, then transported up to Fort Gustav, where a stele was erected, before it was taken to the
Schoelcher Museum in Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe), before being brought back to Saint Barthélemy in 1995. This urn is the only object in Saint Barthélemy listed with the Historic Monuments of France. It has been listed since 1977.

CHURCH BELL TOWER
Built away from the main building, the bell tower at the Catholic Church is one of the elements protected by the church’s listing as a Historic Monument. It was built after the retrocession of the island to France. This is a known fact, as the project began after
Father Prual ‘s arrival in Saint Barthélemy, which was in 1881. However, we do not know the exact date of its construction. It replaced a former bell tower built of wood and stone, which was in the courtyard of the rectory. We also do not sure why the bell tower was transferred to parcel N°219 located on the side of the hillside east of the rectory and purchased on December 22, 1869. On the other hand, we do know that the two bronze bells still found in the bell tower were also transferred, as witnessed by the Latin inscription engraved on the larger of the two bells, which indicated that they were cast at the Lewis Debozear foundry in Philadelphia in 1842. The most recent restoration of the bell tower at the Catholic Church was in 1994.


THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN LORIENT

It is difficult to discuss the clock tower without evoking the church itself, which was built after the schism between the two parishes on the island (Gustavia and Lorient) in 1858. This church project was spearheaded by its first priest, Father Eugène Le Couturier, who, with donations from the faithful, bought two pieces of land to build the rectory and church as still exist today.
The rectory was quickly completed but for financial reasons, the construction of the church did not get underway until 1863.
The edifice was completed in 1871. This church was not the first to be built in Lorient: the first-known reference goes back to
1687 and is found in a government report on the state of the churches dated November 13, 1687 (Aix en Provence archives).
A more recent church, built in 1820, can still be seen, and today it houses the library in Lorient.


The Sofia Magdalena Lutheran Church was so named in honor of Queen Sophie-Madeleine of Denmark, who was the wife of King Gustav III. It was one of the first edifices built by the Swedes in Saint Barth. Inaugurated on July 22, 1787, this Lutheran church also served as a place of worship for Anglicans, Catholics, and Methodists until each denomination built its own church. Badly damaged by the hurricane of 1837, Sogia Magdalena was destroyed in 1857, as it had fallen into ruin.
(“Gustavia, Architectural Historic Walk” by Jenny Stening)
 
Fascinating. Right from the start, I had not realized that Christopher Columbus’s brother Bartholomew led an expedition with 3 ships on his own! You are never too old to learn.

Thanks for this lesson today, Ellen.
 
Wonderful, Ellen! Two questions: (a) Where is the Dinzey house? and (b) where in Gustavia is the August Nyman urn today?
 
Wonderful, Ellen! Two questions: (a) Where is the Dinzey house? and (b) where in Gustavia is the August Nyman urn today?

The Dinzey House is more commonly known as Le Brigantin, on the far side of the port... recently sold to the Collectivity of St Barth.... and the urn resides at the Wall House Territorial Museum... funny story about that urn, we had some afternoon film screening there during the festival some years ago, and the urn was in the middle of the space... after the film there were presentations by the filmmakers and most of them looked like eggheads with the large urn blocking everyone's view... the urn has since mercifully been moved along a side wall, which is better for its safety and wellbeing as well...



dinzey house.jpg
 
Yes, lovely building . . . and a young couple offered accommodations behind it for a time, a couple of years ago. Any idea what offices of the Collectivite will be there? (It seems like they're acquiring a number of properties around there, including the old Banque des Antilles Francaises building.)
 
For a time, Le Brigantin restaurant was at that location. It was a long time ago, probably over 30 years ago. I don't know when it closed, or if I ever dined there. Erik at Le Repaire worked there for a time.

Years later, when I first rented an older villa on Lorient beach I found plates in the cupboard with Le Brigantin's logo on them. Dennis, I've forgotten the villa code, perhaps RAI or REA. I think that friends of yours also rented the same villa.
 
For a time, Le Brigantin restaurant was at that location. It was a long time ago, probably over 30 years ago. I don't know when it closed, or if I ever dined there. Erik at Le Repaire worked there for a time.

Years later, when I first rented an older villa on Lorient beach I found plates in the cupboard with Le Brigantin's logo on them. Dennis, I've forgotten the villa code, perhaps RAI or REA. I think that friends of yours also rented the same villa.

Great memory, Kevin! RIA, & what a great spot it was . . . owned, I believe, by Rosita, JP, & some family — now the site of Les Basses. I’ll be smiling all evening as I think about great parties at RIA with very close friends, including their two (at the time) “boys” (I’m still affectionately known as “Uncle Dennis) who often rented the property. (Chef Bernard Javelle prepared some great dinners for us!)

I remember eating at La Brigatin . . . as you say, at least 30 years ago — probably in the mid-80s. My recollection is that it was quite upscale — tablecloths & loaded with lots of subtle candlelight. And, a standout memory is that it wasn’t crowded — no multiple seatings / “turning of tables.” We sat there . . . eating, drinking, talking, & laughing for many hours. I’ll add that the food was great . . . BUT, so many years ago, & so many meals & bottles of wine in the interim, that’s a foregone conclusion!

Thanks for these “memory lane” moments,
 
Dennis, I remember a night at that villa with you and Bill and Alex and the oven didn't work and we took the food to some friends father down the beach to cook it and brought it back to eat... that was a very charming house with old St Barth style, of small buildings independent of each other...

when I first came to St Barth, Le Brigantin was a furniture store (1989) with some of the most gorgeous handmade Caribbean beds...the master carpenter who makes them is still on the island and his work is very special...
 
Thank you, Ellen, for sharing this history of St. Barths....it is fascinating! I’m ashamed to say that I’ve not done enough research on my own about the island, and your post(s) have connected the dots. Loved reading about Le Brigantin as well. Our journey with St. Barths began in April, 1996, our 10th wedding anniversary. We don’t have the lengthy history that many so many of you have, but we are working on it and are enjoying the ride. We’ve made some wonderful friendships along the way...we are blessed!
 
Dennis, I remember a night at that villa with you and Bill and Alex and the oven didn't work and we took the food to some friends father down the beach to cook it and brought it back to eat... that was a very charming house with old St Barth style, of small buildings independent of each other...

when I first came to St Barth, Le Brigantin was a furniture store (1989) with some of the most gorgeous handmade Caribbean beds...the master carpenter who makes them is still on the island and his work is very special...

I very well remember the evening, Ellen. Bernard was preparing dinner, and as a “good sport” in difficult circumstances, he literally ran the meal on a platter down the beach to the friends’ kitchen . . . prepared it . . . and hustled back to serve everything pipin’ hot! We were so much younger then!

On one occasion of my friends being there — perhaps the same time — the WiFi in the Villa wasn’t working, but we could pick-up the signal from the next door gift shop of Les Mouettes. We went over & explained the situation & asked if they would allow us to “use” their WiFi. “Certainement” came the reply — such nice people, giving my friends the WiFi code.

Do such things happen today?
 
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