The congregation of St.Michel Cathedral celebrates the abundant nature of the Gambier Islands with the floral ornaments they wear for the services. The cathedral itself is a tribute to its environment : its 18 coral stoned columns support a vault made of rushes tied with nape (braided coconut wad) resting on a wooden frame of uru (breadfruit). The cover, formerly of braided coconut and pandanus leaves, has been replaced by a copper roof.