Cathedral of Bamako, Bamako

The Sacred Heart Cathedral is the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Bamako and is located in Bamako, Mali's capital.

Bamako started out as a traditional village. It was progressively urbanizing in the late nineteenth century, attracting a growing number of newcomers, particularly after it was established as the colony's seat of government in 1897. The end of 1897 saw the establishment of the first Catholic mission in Kati (approximately 15 kilometers from Bamako), from which catholic priests visited Christians in Bamako, primarily officers, merchants, workers, and soldiers.

The Catholic mission of Kati purchased land in Bamako in 1907 and constructed a church for regular services in 1910. The cathedral's construction, however, began on February 21, 1925, with Archbishop Sauvant blessed the first stone in the presence of Marshal Petain. The structure is now operational after two years. The cathedral in Bamako was constructed in 1936. It was the city's only official Catholic worship location until 1957. On February 21, 1956, Bishop Pierre-Louis Leclerc was enthroned as the first archbishop of Bamako. At 1988, he was laid to rest in the cathedral.

Location: Bamako, Mali