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Lomé in Golfe, Maritime, Togo — West Africa
 

The Sacred Heart of Jesus of Lomé Cathedral

 
 
The Sacred Heart of Jesus of Lomé Cathedral Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, July 22, 2023
1. The Sacred Heart of Jesus of Lomé Cathedral Marker
Inscription.  

Deutsch
Herz-Jesu Kathedrale in Lomé
Geschichte
Die Herz-Jesu Kathedrale wurde von der katholischen Steyler Mission im neo-gotischen Stil in Anlehnung an die Kirche von Steyl (Niederlande), aus der die ersten katholischen Missionare in Togo kamen, in 18 Monaten errichtet. Der erste Spatenstich erfolgte am 22.4.1901 (mittleres Foto). Die Bauarbeiten standen unter der Aufsicht des Ordensbruders Johannes (mit bürgerlichem Namen Franz Hopfer, 1858-1936) und wurden von lokalen Zimmermännern, Maurern sowie togoischen Katholiken ausgeführt, die auch Spenden leisteten. Z.B. spendete der bedeutende togoische Geschäftsmann Octaviano Olympio einen Teil der Ziegel. Kalk, Zement und Holz wurden aus Europa importiert, während der Rest der Materialien aus lokalen Ressourcen stammte. Am 21.9.1902 wurde die Kathedrale in einer feierlichen Zeremonie geweiht, geleitet vom apostolischen Vikar der Goldküste, Bischof Maximilian Albert. Bei der Einweihungszeremonie waren hohe Würdenträger der Kolonialverwaltung und der einheimischen Bevölkerung. Vertreter der Händler in Lome sowie die Kirchengemeinde anwesend. Olympio hielt eine
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Dankesrede 1914 wurde das Gebäudeinnere um eine Galerie erweitert. Bedachung und Balken der Glockentürme wurden 1940 erneuert. Die Herz-Jesu Kathedrale ist die Mutterkirche der Erzdiözese Lomé, die am 14.09.1955 gegründet wurde. Am 9.8.1985 feierte Papst Johannes Paul II. hier die Messe. In den 1900er Jahren musste die Kirche wegen Einsturzgefahr geschlossen werden. Unter Leitung des deutschen Architekten Stephan Franck wurde die Kirche 1996 mit finanzieller Hilfe deutscher Kirchengemeinden und des deutschen Auswärtigen Amtes renoviert.

Francais
La cathédrale Sacré-Cœur de Jésus de Lomé
Histoire
La cathédrale Sacré-Coeur de Jésus a été construite par la Mission catholique de Steyl dans un style néogothique inspire de l'église de Steyl (Nederland), ville d'origine des premiers missionnaires catholiques au Togo. Le premier coup de pioche fut donné le 22.04.1901 (photo du milieu). La construction a duré dix-huit mois sous la direction du frère laic Johannes (du nom civil Franz Hopfer 1856-1936) avec l'assistance de charpentiers et maçons locaux, ainsi que de chrétions catholiques togolais comme par exemple le célèbre commerçant Octaviano Olympio qui offrit une partie des briques. Le chaux, le ciment et le bois furent importés d'Europe, le reste des matériels fut fourni sur place. Le 21.09.1902, eu lieu la consécration solennelle présidée
The Sacred Heart of Jesus of Lomé Cathedral Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, July 22, 2023
2. The Sacred Heart of Jesus of Lomé Cathedral Marker
The marker is to the right of the cathedral entrance.
par Mgr Maximilian Albert, vicaire apostolique de la Gold-Coast. Etaient présents, des personnalités de marque de l'administration coloniale et de la population autochtone, les représentants des commerçants de Lomé ainsi que la communauté chrétienne. En la circonstance, Olympio a tenu un discours de remerciement. En 1914, l’édifice a été agrandi par l'aménagement d'une haute galerie. La toiture et les flèches des clochers ont été refaites en 1940. La cathédrale Sacré-Cœur de Jésus est réglisemère de l'archidiocèse de Lomé érigée le 14.09.1955. Le 09.08.1985, le pape Jean-Paul Il y a célébré la messe. La cathédrale a été fermée dans les années 1990 pour prévenir des risques d'effondrement. La rénovation a eu lieu en 1996 sous la direction de l'architecte allemand Stephan Franck grâce à l'aide financière des communautés chrétiennes allemandes et du ministère allemand des affaires étrangère.
Financé par Alexander Beckmann. Ambassad eur d'Allemagne au Togo 2008-2011

Ewe
Yesu-Dzi Gbedoxoga le Lome
Dutinya
Stoyl (Holande) katoliko Dogbedea tu Yesu - Dzi Gbedoxo de gotikotutu fe nonome nu abe ale si Steyl gbedoxo le one olabena katoliko Dogbedea gbab siwo va Togo la tso Stoyl dua me. Woda dziga gbato le afofie 22 lia, 1901 dzi XotutuaYohan nes (efe nko nutoe nye Franz Hopfer 1856-1936) fe kpokplo te. Ame siwo kpe dumevi le gliawo
The Sacred Heart of Jesus of Lomé Cathedral Interior image. Click for full size.
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, July 22, 2023
3. The Sacred Heart of Jesus of Lomé Cathedral Interior
dodo kple xoa gbagba me wonye de equ wo kple katolikotowo abe asitsala xo nko Octaviano Olympio ene, ame si na kpe adewo. Wotso akalo, simiti kple atiwo tso Ablotsi eye xotunu bubuawo le Lome Woko gbedoxoga la nutile anyonyo 21 lia, 1902 dzi eye Episkopo Maximilian Albert. Gold Coast fe Episkopo Kpede?uto, no zi me na wonawo. Ameshwo hakpo gome woenye Dzamamedzidulawo fenkutawo, duametowo, asitsalawo fe amedodowo le Lome kple hametowo. Afeto Olympio fo nu da akpe na Katoliko Dogbedeawo. Le fè 1914 lia me la, wokeke Gbedoxoga la de edzi. Wogbugbo xoa gba, dara gafoxowo do le fé 1940 lia me. Yesu-Dzi Gbedoxoga lae va zu Episkopo fe nofe gbato le fè 1955. Le dasiamime 9 lia, 1985 me la Papa Jean-Paul II wo misa le eme. Wotu Gbedoxogá le fe 1990 lia me le ofe gbogbib ta. Le fe 1996 lia me la, wodzrae do le dzamaxo qutinunyala Stephan Franck fe kpokplo te, eye kristotowo le dzamabiotsi kple Dzamadziququa woena ga si hili la.

English translation
The Sacred Heart of Jesus in Lomé Cathedral
History
The Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral was built by the Catholic Mission of Steyl in a neo-Gothic style inspired by the church of Steyl (The Netherlands), home town of the first Catholic missionaries in Togo. The groundbreaking was on April 24, 1901 (middle photo). The construction lasted eighteen months under the direction of lay brother Johannes (civil
A nearby sculpture of Jesus and the Cross with a map of Togo image. Click for full size.
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, July 22, 2023
4. A nearby sculpture of Jesus and the Cross with a map of Togo
name Franz Hopfer 1856-1936) with the assistance of local carpenters and masons, as well as Togolese Catholic Christians such as the famous merchant Octaviano Olympio who offered part of the bricks. Lime, cement and wood were imported from Europe, the rest of the materials were supplied locally. On September 21, 1902, the solemn consecration was presided over by Msgr. Maximilian Albert, Apostolic Vicar of the Gold-Coast. Present were distinguished personalities of the colonial administration and the indigenous population, representatives of the traders of Lomé as well as the Christian community. On the occasion, Olympio gave a speech of thanks. In 1914, the building was enlarged by the development of a high gallery. The roof and spires of the bell towers have been redone in 1940. The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Lomé erected on September 14, 1955. On August 9, 1985, Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass here. The cathedral was closed in the 1990s to prevent the risk of collapse. The renovation took place in 1996 under the direction of the German architect Stephan Franck with financial assistance from the German Christian communities and the German Foreign Office.
 
Erected 2008 by Alexander Beckmann, German Ambassador to Togo 2008-2011.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic
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lists: ArchitectureColonial EraReligion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is April 24, 1901.
 
Location. 6° 7.504′ N, 1° 13.571′ E. Marker is in Lomé, Maritime, in Golfe. It is at the intersection of Rue Tokmake and Rue de l'Eglise, on the right when traveling east on Rue Tokmake. Touch for map. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Africa, West Africa, and specifically Sub-Saharan Africa. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a French colony and also a British Mandate.

Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 2 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Wharf of Lomé (approx. half a kilometer away); The Lomé Advanced Training School (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Former Central Railroad Station of Lomé (approx. 0.9 kilometers away); Independence of Togo (approx. 1.2 kilometers away); Paul Ahyi, Forces Vives, 1989 (approx. 1.8 kilometers away).
 
Additional commentary.
1. Ewe text transcription
Note that the Ewe text transcription is rough at best due to the lack of a good version of the Ewe keyboard at the moment. Improvements are welcome.
    — Submitted August 25, 2023, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2023, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 473 times since then and 80 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 24, 2023, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.
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Jun. 28, 2026