Christ Church, Umkomaas is considered a sacred and special part of history for many of the locals.
The church dates from the original formation of an Anglican community in the mid-19th century and was built in 1902. It became the main Anglican centre in the area prior to St Paul’s Church being built in Scottburgh. With further expansion of the area, the parish has grown to encompass Umkomaas in the north to Ifafa in the south. This comprises five worship centres.
Recently, it was discovered that the church was infested with wood borer in the roof, and the consequence of this was that pending repairs, the building was condemned and closed from about Easter this year.
A new roof and trusses are desperately needed to help save the church. The church benches and some flooring are damaged too.
The church has been part of Umkomaas’s rich history for many years, and the congregation is praying for a miracle to save it. One of the church members stated that this holy building can even be considered a heritage site because of it being the original church in the region.
Another aspect that makes this church so special are the famous stained glass windows inside, which are said to be some of the finest in KZN. What many people do not know is the vision behind these windows. According to one of the church’s history books, seven of the windows were to illustrate the seven churches referred to in the Book of Revelation.
The artist was Kenneth Bunton, and the windows were made in England and shipped to Durban and installed as memorials to members of the congregation.
The church folk are hoping that some kind individual or business will intervene and help save their beloved church as repairs/renovations are expected to regrettably run into thousands of Rands. And being now a small congregation, this will be a massive undertaking.
If you are able to help save the church, email dzihwemaf@yahoo.com or call 076 4748679.
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