Tour Joburg’s oldest place of worship
JEPPESTOWN - What began as a chapel, built a mere three years after the discovery of gold, is now the city's oldest place of worship.
A walking tour of the Anglican church of St Mary the Less by the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation will lay bare the secrets and stories of this fascinating building.
“It started as a small chapel, and grew as Jeppestown filled up,” said foundation spokesperson Flo Bird.
“In 1986, Prof. Dennis Radford told us it would fall down. Well, it’s still standing, and [a good deal is being spent] on restoring it.”
Bird said the church was built in two stages; something that becomes apparent on entering the building.
“It has a small bell tower topped with a quaint dome, shingled in contrast to the corrugated iron roof. Another dome – just for balance, we guess – adorns the extension,” she said.
Among the highlights inside the church are the fine rood (a partition surmounted by a cross), the organ, and a brass lectern.
The stained glass windows behind the altar feature the faces of early parishioners disguised as various saints.
“The vestments are a joy to those who enjoy embroidery and handwork,” said Bird.
“[And] around the corner are many enchanting buildings. They may be shabby, but they have escaped the hands of the renovators who strip the cast iron balconies, and exchange the slender timber of the shop fronts for wretched aluminium.”
The tour will also pass by the Grand Station Hotel and the Modernist Radium Hotel.
“Jeppestown is old Joburg, as it was before the First World War, the demolishers and the skyscrapers. Get to know it,” said Bird.
The tour will take place on 14 June, and will leave from Park Street, between Gus and Madison streets, Jeppestown, at 2pm.
The tour cost includes a donation to St Mary the Less.
Details: 011 482 3349; www.joburgheritage.co.za; www.computicket.com
