queries sorted
It’s been almost two years since the end of the Covid lockdowns, but a Woodstock church is still reeling from the effects of the pandemic.
As St Mary’s the Virgin Church prepares for its 165th anniversary this year, Father Donovan Meyer spoke about some of the challenges the church faces.
The history of the church dates back to the 1850s when the foundation stone of the original St Mary’s was laid by Colonel Graham, of the 59th Regiment, on June 29, 1859. It consisted of a nave and side aisle, and had seating for about 230. The church was opened by Dean Douglas on January 24, 1864 and consecrated by Robert Gray, the first bishop of Cape Town, on June 6 the following year.
Woodstock was originally known as Papendorp, after a Dutchman, Pieter van Papendorp, but changed to Woodstock in 1867.
The passing of the Group Areas Act in 1950 saw many of the congregants forced to leave the area, but the church continued to run its services uninterrupted until Covid-19 hit.
Father Donovan said the church now grappled with dwindling memberships, limited income and costly repairs.
Before Covid, the church had had about 115 members but now only had 55, he said.
The church streamed its services during Covid but has since stopped doing that.
Father Donovan said many of their younger congregants no longer stayed in the area, making it harder for them to attend regularly. He said the church was trying to revive its youth ministry.
“We remain hopeful that we will get our numbers back up. People became used to streaming the services during Covid, but we want to encourage them to come in person. We are seeing a trickling of young people coming back to the church who want to get involved.”
Father Donovan said the church was struggling financially and relied on the income from four rental properties, parking bays it hired out and the generosity of people. At the moment, he said, it needed about R400 000 to repair water damage to the roof.
“Because of our heritage status, it needs to be done according to strict specifications, but there is no funding from heritage for this. There is also water damage to parts of the church. Our organ also needs to be repaired, which will cost about R300 000,” he said.
Despite the many challenges, the church has managed to continue feeding 80 to 100 homeless people in Woodstock every Wednesday.
“It might only be a drop in the ocean, but every Wednesday, the homeless know there is a place they can go for a plate of food,” Father Donovan said.
The church was maintained by a faithful few – mainly elderly members – but they were a resilient congregation, he said.
“Covid really took so much from the church, and we are trying to rebuild. I hope to see a rise in young leadership and that we will continue to be a place of hope and healing,” he said.
Father Donovan has been at the church since 2015, but at 64 he is reaching retirement age.
The church will hold an anniversary fund-raising dance on Saturday June 28, at the Nico Malan Hall at Groote Schuur Hospital, from 7pm to midnight. Tickets cost R200. For tickets, contact Brian Manoek at 084 551 6290. In July, the church will hold a special service with Archbishop Thabo Makgoba.
The church holds services on a Wednesdays at 12.45pm and Sundays at 9am.
