Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Seychelles Plaisance Ward Abandoned Church
AO Edited

Abandoned Church

In the middle of a busy residential neighborhood, a small roofless church being reclaimed by nature.

Plaisance Ward, Seychelles

Added By
Max Cortesi
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
  Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
  Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
  Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
  Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
  Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
  Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
  Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  Steve 55 / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Churches of varying sizes can be seen throughout the islands of Seychelles. They are usually well looked after, often with small manicured gardens. It is, therefore, quite surprising to find an abandoned church in the outskirts of Victoria—even more so, considering that this church is nested in a populated area, next to a school, private houses, and a busy roundabout. 

The roots of Christianity in Seychelles can be traced back to 1756, when France claimed the islands. As Seychelles had no Indigenous population, when European settlers arrived aboard the ship Thélemaque in 1770, Captain Leblanc Lecore brought 15 French men, eight enslaved Africans, and five Indians to the island now known as Sainte Anne. After decades of French rule, Seychelles came under British rule in 1810. It was not until  1976 that Seychelles became an independent country.

Christianity remains the most widespread religion in Seychelles, and Roman Catholicism represents the predominant form. Located in Roche Caïman on the island of Mahé, this structure is completely roofless and exposed to the elements. The vegetation is cut back from time to time, but it is clearly visible that medium-size tree trunks have grown through the windows. The vegetation has almost completely reclaimed the walls demarcating the apse and the three lancets. Some moss covers the ground, and weeds creep in between the cracks, but the slabs of rock used to tile the floor are still recognizable.

There are neither fences nor custodians on site. The building is open to whoever happens to be passing by.

Related Tags

Churches Abandoned Colonialism Sacred Spaces

Community Contributors

Added By

Max Cortesi

Edited By

Collector of Experiences, Steve 55

  • Collector of Experiences
  • Steve 55

Published

June 9, 2021

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.refworld.org/docid/4954ce6923.html#:~:text=Seychelles%20has%20no%20indigenous%20population,formal%20British%20colony%20in%201903.
Abandoned Church
Plaisance Ward
Seychelles
-4.639491, 55.465349

Nearby Places

Isle of Farquhar

Roche Caiman, Seychelles

miles away

Victoria Clock Tower

Pier Ward, Seychelles

miles away

Mission Ruins of Venn's Town

Seychelles

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Seychelles

Seychelles

Africa

Places 9
Stories 1

Nearby Places

Isle of Farquhar

Roche Caiman, Seychelles

miles away

Victoria Clock Tower

Pier Ward, Seychelles

miles away

Mission Ruins of Venn's Town

Seychelles

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Seychelles

Seychelles

Africa

Places 9
Stories 1

Related Places

  • The church’s masonry, seen from the side.

    Mpulungu, Zambia

    Niamkolo Church

    Now abandoned, this stone church was part of the missionary efforts that initiated the Christianization of Zambia.

  • Velha Goa, India

    The Convent of St. Dominic's Cross

    The only surviving relic of the abandoned Dominican convent.

  • San Martín Huamelúlpam, Mexico

    Huamelulpan Archaeological Zone

    At this hillside site that was once home to a Mixtec community, you'll find ruins with a view.

  • Colonial facade of the church.

    Itanhaém, Brazil

    Convento Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Convent of Our Lady of the Conception)

    This convent has a unique history, including being burned down by a friar trying to get rid of a few bats.

  • East Haddam, Connecticut

    Johnsonville Village

    This picturesque Victorian ghost town was once a thriving mill community.

  • Église du Bon-Pasteur

    Lyon, France

    Église du Bon-Pasteur

    This abandoned church in central Lyon is missing its front stairs.

  • Inside the chapel.

    Oxfordshire, England

    Godstow Abbey Ruins

    These ancient ruins were the final resting place of King Henry II's mistress.

  • Graves next to the kirk.

    North Berwick, Scotland

    St Andrew's Kirk Ports

    The ruins of the second of three churches dedicated to the saint in a touristic Scottish town.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.