Église Saint-Joseph d'Iracoubo, Catholic church in Iracoubo, French Guiana.
Saint Joseph's Church is a Catholic church in Iracoubo, French Guiana, situated on a sandy coastal ridge with brick walls and a raised foundation. The structure was designed to cope with the area's challenging climate and high moisture levels.
Father Prosper Raffray initiated construction in 1887 with support from the local community, who provided materials, labor, and funding to complete the building by 1893. The structure earned national heritage protection status in 1978 due to its cultural and historical value.
The interior features extensive wall and ceiling paintings created by Pierre Huguet between 1892 and 1898, covering about 400 square meters with religious imagery. These works represent a distinctive local artistic tradition that draws visitors interested in folk religious expression.
The building currently requires substantial restoration work due to moisture damage affecting its foundations, plaster, and wooden elements. Visitors should be aware that these conditions affect the interior spaces and plan their visit accordingly.
This church holds the largest collection of religious naive art in French Guiana, making it a distinctive artistic destination. The paintings were created under extraordinary circumstances that add depth to their cultural meaning.
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