ALGIERS, ARCHDIOCESE OF. – Capital city of Algeria, situated on the coast of the Mediterranean Africa, on the site of ancient Icosium. Occupied by the French in 1830, it has since developed considerably. In 1936 it had 264,232 inhabitants, of whom 182,503 were Europeans. The ecclesiastical hierarchy was restored by Gregory XVI, who in 1838 raised it to a bishopric, suffragan to Aix-en-Provence. Its first incumbent was Mgr Dupuch (1838–45). Under his successor, Mgr Pavy (1845–66), Algiers was elevated to an ecclesiastical metropolis by Pius IX (25 July 1866), with two suffragan sees: Constantine and Oran, created at the same time. The see of Algiers was notably distinguished by the work of Cardinal Lavigerie (1867–92) (q.v.).
The archdiocese comprises 152 parishes, 134 diocesan priests and 161 regular clergy.