DURBAN author, David Hughes, has penned a book documenting the history of one of Durban’s oldest churches, St Paul’s Anglican Church.
The book, City Centre Church, St Paul’s Anglican Church: an official history, was launched last week at Ike’s Books.
This history of St Paul’s Church in the Durban CBD draws heavily on the previously unpublished church history by Rev Jimmy Draper, who was rector at the church from 1975 to 1987.
David has been a member of the church congregation for 24 years and currently serves as lay minister at the church.
“Rev May Laban invited me to put together a history of the church and I was happy to do it and as I have links with the church and am an avid history fan, it was definitely not a difficult chore to get into,” said David, who is also a specialist maritime and travel writer and author of a number of passenger liner publications and freelance travel journalist. Born and bred in Durban, David’s flat overlooks the harbour and Maritime Museum and is just down the road from St Paul’s.
He said it had taken around two-and-a-half-years to complete the book, a slow project in some ways, but an exciting journey none the less.
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“I used minute books, the unpublished notes by Rev Draper and undertook interviews to gather information for the book. I’m pleased with the finished book and have made it as contemporary as possible. I have mixed past and present information and I hope I have achieved something that is not just another church history. My main aim was to remind people that the church grew up around the real, original town centre,” he said.
Some of the highlights in the book include the opening of the church in 1854, the complete destruction of the original church building in a fire in 1906 and the reopening in 1909.
The year 1999 celebrated 150 years of existence with a visit by Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh and in 2002 the first black rector was appointed and in 2009 the first woman rector was appointed. The church celebrated 165 years of existence in 2014.
David currently hosts tours around the church with local and international visitors, which he started three years ago, and invites people to visit the church. He also invites people to email him with any historical anecdotes on the church: davidhughes@lantic.net.
Proceeds from the sale of the book go to the church. Cost is R130 and copies of the book are available at Ike’s Books in Florida Road, Adams Books West Street and the church office.
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