Sidi El Houari, Oran
Algeria

Description of the Site

The Saint-Louis church is a former Christian religious building located in the Sidi Houari district of Oran.

The building is unoccupied at this moment. More than that, it is completly abandonned by everyone including the local authorities, usually invaded by drunk squatters, it represent the sad image of Sidi El Houari (the old city of Oran) where 80% of historical places of Oran are located. and where many of them are being destroyed every day.

The history of the place is particularly interesting, it is a witness to the different civilisations that came to Oran during the course of history.

The location of the church was originally a mosque, the mosque Djamal Ibn El Beitar, built in 1347. This mosque was totally destroyed after the invasion of Oran by the Spaniards in 1509, after that, they built the Church of Our Lady of Victory.

In 1708, after the victory over the Spaniards by Bey Mustafa Ben Youssef, the Muslims trashed the church and the place was offered to the Jews to establish their synagogue. The Spaniards invaded Oran again in 1732 and the place once again became a church.

During the earthquake of 1790 it was largely destroyed and finally abandoned by the Spaniards in 1792.

The church was finally rebuilt by the French in 1838 and elevated to the rank of Cathedral in 1866.

The crosses, the rose window and the four statues representing Saint Louis King of France, Saint Irénée, Saint Augustin and Saint Vincent have unfortunately disappeared.

The Threat

More like, what is threating the site.. it is mostly time! the more time it is left in this state the more fragile it gets. That being said, Many rumours state that local real estate investors are in standby to buy any place in the neighborhood, thats why many places are deliberatly destroyed. It might also be the case here.

Efforts to Save St Louis church

I don’t record any consistent effort to protect it other than the fact that doors are sealed now to prevent squatters from getting in. Although during my brief visit inside i noticed some laundry being stretched there.

Who Should Be Held Accountable

Many if not everyone!

The authorities in the first place, the local NGOs who pretend to be working to preserve the heritage, and even some citizen who are not have enough awareness to rise their voices and talk about this matter.

Photos by Ali Mehaoudi