Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1955-1971 ; Undated (Creation)
Level of description
Subfonds
Extent and medium
1 subfonds
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Born in Rennes in 1904, Charles Couäsnon is the son of an architect, a profession he also chose. He was admitted to the Beaux-Arts de Rennes in 1923, before completing his training at the Beaux-Arts de Paris. He obtained the title of architect graduated by the Government in 1933. He was later appointed ordinary architect of the historic monuments of Ille-et-Vilaine. In 1938, he built the Sainte-Anne chapel near Rennes. It was at this moment that he thought of entering the Dominican order. He was mobilized at the same time and spent three years in captivity, from June 1940 to April 1943.
He entered the novitiate in 1943 and made his profession in 1944. Ordained a priest on July 16, 1948, he was assigned in 1950 to the convent of Saint-Etienne, his only convent of assignment until his death in 1976. He came here to help Fr. de Vaux in his excavations as an architect, which he did at Tell el Far'ah. From 1952 to 1954, he resided in Casablanca to direct the construction of a Dominican convent, which he also did in Mosul afterwards. Then he resumed work with Fr. de Vaux in Qumran, where he was in charge of the overall surveys.
In the Holy Land, he was called upon on all sides, particularly for the Benedictine monastery in Bethlehem, the restoration of the Holy Anne's Church in Jerusalem, or the restoration of the Crusader Church in Abu Gosh.
But his life's work was to cooperate in the restoration of the Holy Sepulchre from 1962 to 1976. The progress of the work can be followed more accurately in his book The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Sweich Lectures, 1972, Oxford University Press, 1974.
The basilica had been damaged by a fire in 1808, and an earthquake in 1927 had worsened its condition. In 1954, the three Christian communities owning and using the basilica had succeeded in reaching an agreement to begin its restoration. Work began in 1962, with each community having its chief architect. Fr. Couäsnon was the local representative of Jean Trouvelot, Inspector General of French Historical Monuments, architect for the Custody. On site, a "Joint Technical Office" bringing together Couäsnon and his Greek and Armenian counterparts, carried out the work in constant liaison with the three chief architects, who had remained in Paris and Athens.
The first objective was the restoration of the 12th century Crusader church (transept crosspieces, Katholicon choir, pillars, ground floor ambulatory). This was completed in 1969. The restoration of the Rotunda, whose building had to be supported, was then carried out.
Fr. Couäsnon was struck by a heart attack in 1976, while driving with Fr. Dreyfus. He died immediately.