Saint-Joseph, Le Havre

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St Joseph's Church, Le Havre Dedication St Joseph Denomination Roman Catholic Administration Parish Saint Martin du Littoral Diocese Le Havre Clergy Other

Le Havre* UNESCO World Heritage Site Type Cultural Criteria ii, iv Reference 1181 Region† Europe and North America Inscription history Inscription 2005  (29th Session) * Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. † Region as classified by UNESCO.

Saint-Joseph, Le Havre is a 107-metre tall church in Le Havre, France. Construction on the church began in 1951, and ended in 1957. Some interpret its gloomy, neo-Gothic interior as a memorial to the five thousand civilians who died in Le Havre during a Nazi siege.^[1]

It was built, along with the vast majority of the current town, after the total devastation the town suffered during the Second World War. It is dedicated to local citizens killed during those air raids.

[edit] Structure

The Church was designed by the chief architect for the reconstruction of the town, Auguste Perret. Work was begun in 1951 and the church was completed by 1958. The tower is 106m tall and acts as a beacon visible from out at sea, especially at night when the tower is illuminated.

Auguste Perret was the teacher and mentor to the Swiss architect Le Corbusier.

[edit] References

1. ^ Andrew Saint, "In Le Havre". London Review of Books, 6 February 2003.