Church of Saint Charles Borromee

The Church of Saint Charles Borromee is a religious structure featuring French colonial architecture on Goree Island's western side. The building displays straightforward architectural details including stone walls and an interior nave that welcomes worshippers and visitors.

The church took shape in 1830 during French colonial rule, establishing Catholic worship in West Africa. It marks a period when European religious practice and local realities intersected on this island.

The interior draws worshippers and visitors who gather in a space that balances spiritual devotion with historical remembrance. This creates a place where faith practices and awareness of past suffering coexist in the same room.

A ferry from Dakar brings visitors to the island, and religious services occur on specific weekdays. Keep in mind that the space involves steps and access times may shift with religious calendars.

The building sits steps away from structures tied to the slave trade, creating a direct contrast between faith and historical burden. This physical closeness forces visitors to confront two opposing chapters of the same island story side by side.

Location: Gorée

Inception: 1830

Accessibility: Wheelchair inaccessible

Part of: Gorée

GPS coordinates: 14.66700,-17.39790

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:25