St Michael's Cathedral in Mangareva combines fervor and history. It is dedicated to the greatest of angels, Saint Michel, who is considered the patron saint of France. Measuring 62 feet (19 m) wide, 167 feet (51 m) long and 49 feet (15 m) high, it has two steeples which culminate at 65 feet (20 m). It was built in 1840 under the auspices of the missionaries of Picpus to provide a meeting place for the Mangarevan Christian community for major religious events.