Église Sainte-Thérèse d’Avila

Tucked between Boulevard Dahdah and Boulevard Pardigon, Église Sainte-Thérèse d’Avila stands as a silent witness to Marseille’s vibrant past. This isn’t just any church. It’s a private edifice, woven into the fabric of the Chutes-Lavie neighborhood in the 4th arrondissement. Église Sainte-Thérèse d’Avila’s story is intertwined with the growth of this very area. Originally, this land belonged to the parish of la Belle de Mai. The area, then known as the Saint Charles quarter, or the Dahdah quarter, took its latter name from one of the principal landowners. The construction of Église Sainte-Thérèse d’Avila on M. Dahdah’s property marked a turning point. In May 1874, a parish school was opened alongside the church, run by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Viviers. This act of faith laid the foundation for a thriving community. The sisters, who had established themselves in Aubenas in 1880, already had two footholds in Marseille: at the Grand Lycée (Lycée Thiers) and the Petit Lycée (Lycée Saint Charles). They came to Marseille at the behest of the headmaster of the Lycée in Toulon, where they had previously served. The congregation, encouraged by the sisters in Marseille, sought to expand their presence in the city. The newly built Église Sainte-Thérèse d’Avila offered a perfect opportunity. The sisters at the Lycées, through the chaplain of the Grand Lycée, proposed to the priest of la Belle de Mai to establish a school in the quarter. He agreed. In March 1874, the Superior General visited Marseille and gave her approval for the new foundation. She delegated authority to the Superior of the Grand Lycée to find a suitable house. The Superior secured a rental from M. Elias Dahdah for 950 francs per year. The school flourished, quickly outgrowing its initial staff of two sisters. By September 1874, six sisters were educating a mix of paying and non-paying students in the free externat and the free school, managed by the Catholic Committee. A childcare service for 60 to 80 children was also established. Église Sainte-Thérèse d’Avila’s influence continued to spread with the creation of a Catholic workshop in 1883 and a girls’ boarding school in 1884, which operated until 1965. The school’s story is a testament to its adaptability and resilience, navigating changes in ownership, evolving educational laws, and the eventual departure of the religious community in 1975. Yet, the legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph, their emphasis on faith and quality education, endures at Église Sainte-Thérèse d’Avila. Their vision of a school that reflects the warmth and support of a family remains a cornerstone of its mission.