About Us?
St. Francis Xavier Parish was one of the first successful mission stations to be established in the Vicariate of Natal, now the Archdiocese of Durban.
The mission was established in 1878. A number of liberated slaves and other labourers had settled on the Bluff eking out a precarious living as fishermen. One of the prominent people at the mission at the time was the catechist, Saturnino do Valle, who had arrived about 1872. He had bought himself a boat and earned his living as a fisherman. Fr Sabon, parish priest in Durban, gave him permission to teach in Portuguese, and when a convert was ready he would take him to Father Sabon who would examine his knowledge of the Faith and for Baptism. Father Baudry (hence Baudry Road) often visited the families on the Bluff. It was suggested that a large plot of land be purchased and then leased to Catholic Parishioners who would farm on it. On the 5th April 1880 fifty-five hectares of land were purchased for 400 Pounds. The bush was cleared and within three months Fr. Baudry had erected a chapel on the highest point overlooking the sea. The official opening of the Chapel took place in July 1880 and the mission was named in honour of St. Francis Xavier at the suggestion of the mother superior of the Holy Family convent. A procession was organised and more than 200 people took part.
By 1884 the Catholics were numerous enough for a considerable group to move off and form a nucleus of a mission at Oakford.
In January 1885 a school was opened and by July 1885 there were 50 children in the school.
By 1893 there were 250 Catholics on the Bluff. Two Holy Family sisters lived permanently at the mission running the school, which now had 60 pupils. A lay brother attended to the maintenance of the buildings and had a flourishing garden while the Oblate Fathers (under whose care the mission was, and still is today) had a holiday cottage.
In his report of that year to Rome the bishop laid particular stress upon the valuable work being undertaken at St. Francis Xavier mission, describing it as “one of our most interesting undertakings”.
In 1921 a new mission church was built to replace the old Chapel. The mission continued to flourish. Unfortunately the missionary character of the mission was not to last. By 1938 the European town of Durban had definitely embraced the area and the end was in sight. Many of the inhabitants of the area moved to the nearest townships of Lamontville and Umlazi.
From 1949 to 1952 Father Noel Coughlan O.M.I. took over as priest in charge at the mission. He was asked to open a Shrine to our Lady. In May 1952 a Marian Congress was held at the Greyville Race Course in Durban, which thousands of Catholics attended. At the end of the Congress the Holy Father, Pope Pius XII proclaimed Mary Assumed into Heaven, Patroness of South Africa. On the 8th December of the same year many people came on a pilgrimage to the Bluff gathering where the statue of our Lady now stands. Elaborate plans for a shrine and other buildings were drawn up which would have totally changed the face of the mission, but were never implemented.
On the 15 January 1953 a very important step was taken in the life of the St. Francis Xavier Mission. Archbishop Denis Hurley issued a Decree of Erection whereby the mission was elevated to the status of a Parish. The boundaries of the Parish were described as: “to the east, north and west, the Indian Ocean and Durban Bay (so as to include Salisbury Island in the Parish) and the west and south-west shall be as to include in the Parish King’s Rest, Wentworth and Brighton Beach. The latter boundary shall be more precisely determined at a later stage”. The decree also stipulated that: “the Church of St. Francis Xavier shall be the Parish Church and shall enjoy all the rights attaching to this status in accordance to Canon Law. The Church of SS. Joseph and Brendan (in Fynnlands) shall be an auxiliary chapel.” The Decree also indicated the property holdings of the parish. Of the initial 55 hectares of land the parish would hold only approximately 6 acres. Some of the land was held by other Religious orders in the church such as the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, the Holy Family Sisters and the Augustinians. Most of the land had been sold. The other land holdings was the plot of land that SS Joseph and Brendan was situated on, and which was just over one acre in size and a plot of land in Torquay Avenue, Fynnlands, which was originally to be used for the Fynnland church, but was deemed unsuitable. This plot was also just over one acre in size, and was sold in 1958.
In 1959 a school feeding scheme supported by the Bluff Catholic Community and two Catholic butchers on the Bluff was started. The Ladies of the community cooked the meals in the Presbytery kitchen and served it in the grounds of the Holy Family Convent adjoining Primary School. When the weather was bad it was served in the school. In some cases this was the only meal received in 24 hours. By the end of the 1960’s the school was closed.
On the 15th May 1960 the first Annual Pilgrimage to the Shrine of our Lady of Natal took place. The second in 1961, and the third on the 19th August 1962. In 1964 the statue was erected. Father Coughlan, now in his second term at the Bluff, requested that the Dominican Sisters of Oakford open a school on the church property. After negotiations and discussion with the sisters the land required for the school was sold to them. On the 28th January 1964 the Convent School of our Lady of Natal was opened. The school expanded over time, and this required more land for classrooms to such as it stands today.
The face of St. Francis Xavier mission certainly changed in it’s first ninety years of existence and was destined to change even more over the next thirty five years, eventually coming a full circle with a new church, presbytery, classrooms and a hall added.
Port Natal – D’Urban – Durban
Was it Farewell or Fynn? Gardiner or Cloete? Or was it the tinkers and tailors, the bakers and artisans escaping from the depression and tribulations of Industrialising England in the 1850’s, brave, adaptable and resourceful who prepared the pattern on which Durban has developed to it’s present status?
Chroniclers have awarded the accolade of founder to Lieutenant Francis Farewell, a fortune seeking adventurer who, for all his faults was the first to extol the virtues of the Bay of Natal as a site of a flourishing port and it is with Farewell that the drama of the story of Durban opens.
The story of those very early days is neither pretty no elegant; the characters do not emerge as dedicated empire builders but as uninhibited fortune hunters who saw in the untamed coastlands and the unknown interior of Natal an opportunity to make money.
For 25 years the settlement, remote and unwanted, stagnated, little more than a collection of wattle and daub huts scattered in the scrub with elephants roaming the forests of the Berea behind them, and hippos splashing in the reedy foreshore of the Bay.
Worries in Cape Town and Whitehall over the infiltration of the trekkers from the Cape, and raids by African tribesmen, led to the establishment of a permanent military garrison.
With this established and the short lived Boer Republic dismantled, the arrival of settlers from England, where the prim respectability of the young Queen Victoria had replaced the extravagant permissiveness of her uncles, the tenor of life in Durban began to change.
Buildings replaced huts. Although the licence of a frontier town persisted, it was these honest … and sometimes not so honest … burghers and burgesses who took over.
By trial and error and a great deal of determination in the face of changing fortunes, these men and women, laid the foundations of a city and a port that ranks among the finest and busiest in the world.
Extracted from: The Mercury’s Durban 150th Anniversary Supplement – 24 May 1974
Earliest inhabitants of the Bluff
May 1824 – ” While hut building was in progress Fynn searched the bay for inhabitants. There were none to be seen but on the following day he found a few “miserable- looking” people grubbing on the Bluff beach for shellfish. There were about sixty of these people, remnants of the Luthuli tribe wiped out by Shaka in his systematic destruction of tribes living in the area”
Extracted from: The Mercury’s Durban 150th Anniversary Supplement – 24 May 1974
Among other groups, which had fled from the Zulu King Dingaan, were the Mathuli people. Although the majority continued beyond Durban to settle amongst the Pondo, a small portion took refuge in the rather heavily wooded area they encountered on the headland across the Bay of Natal. Here, amongst the dense bush in small family units, they forged a living by fishing and growing vegetables on small patches of cleared land.
The Zanzibari People
The Zanzibari first landed in South Africa in 1873 after a British ship, SS Britannica, intercepted a vessel carrying 143 slaves who had been kidnapped from the Island by Arab slave traders who were heading to the west. The British freed the slaves by diverting the ship to Port Natal – Durban, where they were accepted as indentured labour. By 1888 there were about 450 in the British Colony of Port Natal. According to short notes on the history of the mission by Fernando Alberto Sarajee and Mrs E Ferrer, a number of the Zanzibari’s became Catholic, while the remainder remained Muslim. As time went by Hajee Mohammed bought some land in Kings Rest from a Ruby Benningfield for those of the Muslim Religion and gave it to them free. The Zanzibari people were forcibly moved off their land at Kings Rest in 1969 due to the introduction of the Group Area’s act.
On Saturday 18th September 2004 the Zanzibari community returned to Kings Rest after a successful land claim.
Mrs Ethel Winkworth provided some notes on the establishment of the church at Fynnland. (the full text can be found in the appendix)
In 1927 when the Winkworth’s came to the Bluff they lived at Wentworth. There was a small settlement of about 100 people. Not having any knowledge of the Catholic Mission they attended mass either at the cathedral or at Greyville. It was not until Mrs Winkworth noticed Fr. Jenn passing by on horseback did she learn about the mission.
In October 1929 they moved to Fynnlands. It was only in about 1931 that she found out that there was a Sunday school class held at the Gladys Mount Hall (Now known as the Fynnland Scout Hall) of which all children of all religions attended. She informed the priest of this, and he requested she separate the Catholic children. She started a catechism class on her front lawn on a Saturday afternoon.
In 1931 a priest would come from the city twice a month and say mass in the home of Mrs Pringles. This went on for two years until they moved to the Gladys Mount Hall. There was a congregation of 8 adults and several children.
Father Senechal came over from Clairwood and would take the catechism class on a Saturday Afternoon. In 1938 Sisters Brendan and Francis Paul took over this class. There were now about 30 children. About the same time Fr. Wiest arived at Fynnlands. He would say mass at Merebank, Fynnlands and Clairwood. On some occasions he would arrive at 08.30 instead of 07.30 due to his motor cycle breaking down.
Father Wiest would come over on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays to instruct the children in preparation for First Communion. In 1939, 32 children made their first communion and had breakfast at the “Eldorado Tea Gardens” (since demolished – now the vacant piece of ground near Fynnland Station).
The day before the first communion two priests came out to hear Confessions, and much to their discomfort, one was forced to hear confession in a poky and drab annex to the hall, the other in his car, which was parked under a tree outside, owing to the fact the hall was closed.
In 1942 Father Jenn took over, as the people now had to be served from the mission due to the shortage of priests (all French priests were in the Army from 1939 onwards due to the war). Most of the Children started to stay away, as they could not understand his French accent.
In 1948 Bishop Hurley came out to Fynnland to say mass, to see the size of the congregation and to discuss buying ground to build a church. The hall was packed.
In 1949 Father Boyce was sent from town and he remained until Father Coughlan arrived six months later.
In the meantime due to a misunderstanding at the Mary Mount hall, mass was moved to the Moth Hall until the new church was built.
In 1951 the first mass was said in the Church of St. Joseph and St. Brendan, Fynnlands.
The building of the church at Fynnlands was made possible through the instigation of Sr. Brendan, a Holy Family Sister, who was a teacher at St. Joseph’s Convent situated at Convent Lane in Durban. Sr. Brendan taught catechism at Fynnlands. One day whilst visiting a retired Catholic Businessman, Mr Joseph Tremoulet, who enquired of Sister Brendan what he could do with his money, as he had no living relatives to leave it to. Sister Brendan suggested that he consider leaving his money to build a church badly needed at Fynnlands. Thus the new church at Fynnlands received the name St. Joseph and St. Brendan.
In 1965 the hall at the Fynnland church was built. The congregation continued to grow.
Due to the increased Catholic population of the Bluff, the size of the suburb and the shortcoming in transport, Catholics living in the Wentworth Area found it difficult to get either to the mission church or the Fynnland church. To alleviate the situation arrangements were made for mass to be said at the Assegai Shellhole, Wentworth on a Sunday Morning.
In 1970 land was purchased at Wentworth with a view to building a Church to serve the Wentworth Community.
In 1975, due to a decision to form one mass centre serving the entire Bluff, the land was sold.
The running of two mass centres was becoming a financial drain on the parish resources. The Parish Church at Brighton Beach was in dire need of repair and the church and hall at Fynnlands was requiring continual maintenance. On the 19 July 1973 Father Evers O.M.I.,who was parish priest, wrote an open letter to the parishioners asking the question as to whether the parish could afford to maintain three properties (plans were in progress to build a third church at Wentworth),or was it now not time to establish one parish centre on the Bluff. Most parishioners now had their own transport. With the letter he called a meeting of the parish for Monday 20th August 1973. Archbishop Denis Hurley O.M.I. also attended the meeting.
Judging from the minutes it was a marathon meeting with many parishioners giving their views and opinions. Should Fynnlands be closed and sold, and a single parish centre built at Brighton Beach, or should they sell Brighton Beach and keep Fynnland? What about Wentworth? There was more than enough land to build a single parish centre there. The people living in the Fynnland Area were for the centre being at Fynnland and those living a Brighton Beach wanted the centre at Brighton Beach and those who lived in the Wentworth wanted it in Wentworth. How was this impasse to be tackled?
The practicalities of having the centre at one of the three particular locations, as well as the possible development of the Bluff were looked at. The idea was to try and see what the development of the Bluff would look like by the year 2000. The Fynnland area was already developed and population would no doubt move further along the Bluff Ridge. There was already a large population at Brighton Beach and Wentworth. A Mr W Jeffryes stated, “that the Bluff population could increase by as much as 60% by the year 2000. The population was already the size of Pietermaritzburg”.
It was felt that the centre of the Bluff would move towards Brighton Beach.
The proposal to build one parish centre at Brighton Beach was eventually supported and the decision made to go ahead.
Plans were drawn and submitted to the Archbishop as was required.
Permission was granted and the task of building a new church was given to John Judge Builders.
The property at Wentworth was sold.
The buildings at Brighton Beach were demolished.
The plan of using the Fynnland church until the new church was built was somewhat short lived in that the parish received a good offer for the Fynnland Church, and it was decided to accept it. This left the parish with no venue for masses or catechism.
Permission was sought and granted by the Dominican Sisters to use the Convent of Our Lady Of Natal school hall for Sunday Mass and the school classrooms for catechism.
Father Andy Slowey O.M.I. who had taken over from Father Evers, took up residence in one of the School’s Classrooms. This was to be the arrangement until the new Church was built.
On the 19th May 1977 the new parish church was opened.
In the same year the parish purchased number 2 Sormany Road to be used as a Presbytery and a parish office.
On the 6th December 1981, 101 years after the official opening of the St. Francis Xavier Mission, the new modern church was dedicated by Archbishop Denis Hurley O.M.I.
For any parish to grow as a community a formal meeting place apart from the church is needed. Land that was owned by the Holy Family Sisters, on which originally their school had stood, was purchased from them and levelled. In 1986 the Parish hall was built on that land.
In 1993 Father Julian Williamson O.M.I. was appointed parish priest. It was his suggestion that the parish should consolidate. The parish in many ways was still fragmented with the Church and Hall on one plot, and two hundred metres up the road, the Parish Office and Presbytery, whilst catechism was still being held in the Convent school of Our Lady of Natal Classrooms. The proposal was put to the parish to build a new presbytery and classrooms on the vacant parish land. The parish accepted the proposal. Permission was sought and granted by the Archdiocese. In 1995 the presbytery was sold. Due to the kindness of a parishioner, Father Julian was given the use of his house as a residence, whilst the parishioner lived in the granny flat on the property.
In November 1996 Father Eric Boulle O.M.I., the newly appointed parish priest (Father Julian unfortunately passed away in the April 1996 and never saw the building completed) moved into a brand new house. The classrooms were completed the same year. The Catechetical year of 1997 started in the parish’s own classrooms.
At the request of many parishioners it was decided to build a wall of remembrance. There were two proposals as to where to situate the wall. The first was to build it just below the church, and the second along the side of the church, where it would be built into an existing wall. The proposals were put to the parish and the response was overwhelming for it to be placed at the side of the church.
On the 18th November 2000 the Wall of Remembrance was blessed by Wilfred Cardinal Napier O.F.M.
The Future
The Bluff parish has come a long way in it’s 125 years of existence and has in many ways reflected the history of South Africa. What originally started, as a black mission station became a mainly white parish, and today 10 years after South Africa’s first democratic elections, it reflects the diverse population of South Africa. During this time there has been a phenomenal growth in the parish, and yet there is still capacity for further growth. No doubt as the parish grows to full maturity and becomes a parish of true “Community of Communities” will it be like the Cross of Love – a shining light on the hill.
Introduction
The Church has been designed to incorporate the liturgy of the Second Vatican Council (1963 – 1965). There is emphasis on communal worship and on the Eucharist as the central act of the Liturgy.
Large Cross
As you enter the church the first thing that meets your eye is the large cross suspended outside between two large beams. These beams focus your attention on the altar, the lectern and the cross, which remind you of the sacrifice of Calvary. On the altar the sacrifice of Calvary is re-enacted and the cross outside the window shows this sacrifice going out to the world, redeeming it. There is no figure on the cross, as Christ is now risen from the dead and is present in the world through his Spirit.
Altar
The massive granite slab that forms the altar (the table of the Eucharist) is supported by two apparent light supports. This is to give focus to the table of the Lord’s meal, rather than emphasising its supports. From a seated position, it gives the impression that the altar is floating on the ocean.
Tabernacle
The tabernacle containing the consecrated hosts (Christ’s presence) is situated so that it can be seen and venerated from anywhere in the church.
Lectern
The lectern (the table of the word) situated to the left of the altar is from where the word of God is read and preached.
Large windows
The large windows with the vast panoramic view of God’s creation, depicts the church going out to the world, drawing people in to worship, and helping to raise up the mind and heart in prayer.
Benches
The benches are arranged in such a way, on a slightly sloped floor, to give the feeling of togetherness in community and closeness to the altar and the lectern (the sanctuary), the central place of worship. If you stand at the altar and look into the body of the church, you get the feeling that the circular walls embrace the whole congregation, folding them into a community.
Main aisle
You will notice that the main aisle is off centre. This is deliberately done so as the enable as many people as possible to be seated, as a community, directly in front of the sanctuary.
Colour scheme and design
The colour scheme is simple and soothing. It is the same on the inside and outside, so also is the rough plastering. This is to make you feel that although you are inside, you are one with the outside world in prayer and worship. The whole building is designed to give the best possible acoustics both for the spoken word and for the singing.
Bell tower
The bell tower with the extended beam running through it forms a cross.
Facade / Entrance
There is little emphasis on the facade, as in older churches. There is no great majestic entrance, in order to get away from the idea of the “triumphalistic church” a term that is no longer used since Vatican II Council. Instead the whole emphasis is on simplicity.
The open space outside the main door is for the people to gather together before and after the celebration of the Eucharist. The church as a Christian Community is important both inside and outside the church building.
This your church explained in rhyme.
You might like to read it when you have the time.
It is an attempt to give you an explanation
And perhaps to others of a future generation.
While reading these lines now in your hand,
Next to the crucifix you are advised to stand.
After each verse read, please look around and see
Each feature and what it’s meant to be.
Overlooking Brighton Beach stands a church fair,
Many people come to see it from everywhere,
Admiring its architecture they stand and gaze,
Got very enthusiastic and loud in its praise.
Built to reflect the teaching of Vatican Two,
With emphasis on unity between altar and pew,
The benches are arranged in semicircular form,
Participation in the liturgy is now the norm.
Its atmosphere cheerful, spacious and bright,
Large windows letting in God’s heavenly light.
Kneeling in prayer and seeing the great ocean
One’s soul is raised up in profound adoration.
Entering the main door at once you must see
His sacrifice on the cross for you and me,
Reminding you to attend his sacrifice in sign
Re-presented under symbols of bread and wine.
Two beams through the church out the window project,
Symbolically meant to give this lovely effect
Of focusing the sacrifice from the cross on the wall
To the Mass on the altar, out the world to all.
This same cross at the window with no corpus thereon,
Indicates that Jesus Risen to the Father has gone,
That the church by his spirit now carries on salvation
Obtained through his death, going out to every Nation.
The beams lift the cross up towards the sky
From the earth where it stood when he did die,
Being the “Sign of the Son of Man” for our salvation
To “Appear again in the heavens” at the final consummation.
From all parts of the church the tabernacle you can see,
From whence Jesus keeps calling “Come unto me”.
There as a prisoner of love he sacramentally abides
From whence divine blessings he generously provides.
The altar is made of one huge granite block
In its original state as hewn from the rock.
On light supports it would seem to be floating
On the deep blue waters of the Indian Ocean.
The benches are arranged on a gently raked floor,
From the predella of the altar back up to the door
So that the altar you can see when mass is said
Your vision not obstructed by somebody’s head.
The Oberamergau stations Fr. Noel Coughlan obtained.
In them, the parish a real work of art has gained.
From Germany the large crucifix he purchased as well,
And I feel it is only right that to you this I tell..
The choir is now seated among the people of God,
Not up in a gallery which today would be odd.
In this way they encourage more participation
From the worshipping members within the congregation.
The acoustics are excellent, good and clear
No need much for loudspeakers the preacher to hear,
For the church is deigned in such a clever way
No trouble in hearing whatever one may say.
Our loving church, dear mother and guide,
Confessionals for sinners does provide,
That you may confess to the priest, pardon obtain
From sins that trouble you, God’s grace regain.
Anxious mothers with babies that like to cry
Must never feel embarrassed, be upset or shy.
Remember your baby is Jesus’ dear little friend
You may take it to the cry room, Mass to attend.
The main aisle in the church is seen off centre,
And we are assured that in this no one did falter,
For the object of the design must not be defeated
That directly before the altar more may be seated.
Both within and without, the walls look the same,
For this is the impression we hope you to gain,
Of not feeling enclosed from the world outside
Which God has redeemed and in which you abide.
Outside the main door is a wide-open space
To meet your friends, chat face to face.
For to love one another Jesus desires very much
Is just as important as praying together in church.
From the old church tower Mary’s statue was removed.
A very difficult task for the Zulu men it proved.
With most loving care at last they did succeed
In getting it down safely, were very pleased indeed.
For fifty long years on the tower it did remain
Exposed to the weather, the wind and the rain,
Now it is a link between the old and the new.
One day it will be the shrine for all to view.
Our Patron, St. Francis Xavier, did travel this globe.
His statue is near the altar dressed in a saffron robe.
For the Hindoo Yogies in the East, Christ he did preach,
On his missionary journey there, sailed past Brighton Beach.
If in visiting this church you see good vibrations,
And in praying in it you experience many holy sensations
You may ask yourself wondering why this should be so
Well! These verses have been written to help you to know.
To all generous parishioners this poem is dedicated
In thanksgiving for the funds you so generously donated.
For although it did cost nearly a quarter million rands,
As a monument to your love of God it forever now stands.
A tribute to Hans Hallen our architect we must pay,
Who ingeniously in it’s design church teaching did portray,
Combining bricks and mortar, steel, aluminium and glass,
Has produced a beautiful temple for our Holy Mass.
John Judge and Son the church did build.
The Architect’s plan he well fulfilled,
As the church is round with no straight line
It wasn’t an easy task at any time.
This your church explained in rhyme.
You might like to read it when you have the time.
It is an attempt to give you an explanation
And perhaps to others of a future generation.
While reading these lines now in your hand,
Next to the crucifix you are advised to stand.
After each verse read, please look around and see
Each feature and what it’s meant to be.
Overlooking Brighton Beach stands a church fair,
Many people come to see it from everywhere,
Admiring its architecture they stand and gaze,
Got very enthusiastic and loud in its praise.
Built to reflect the teaching of Vatican Two,
With emphasis on unity between altar and pew,
The benches are arranged in semicircular form,
Participation in the liturgy is now the norm.
Its atmosphere cheerful, spacious and bright,
Large windows letting in God’s heavenly light.
Kneeling in prayer and seeing the great ocean
One’s soul is raised up in profound adoration.
Entering the main door at once you must see
His sacrifice on the cross for you and me,
Reminding you to attend his sacrifice in sign
Re-presented under symbols of bread and wine.
Two beams through the church out the window project,
Symbolically meant to give this lovely effect
Of focusing the sacrifice from the cross on the wall
To the Mass on the altar, out the world to all.
This same cross at the window with no corpus thereon,
Indicates that Jesus Risen to the Father has gone,
That the church by his spirit now carries on salvation
Obtained through his death, going out to every Nation.
The beams lift the cross up towards the sky
From the earth where it stood when he did die,
Being the “Sign of the Son of Man” for our salvation
To “Appear again in the heavens” at the final consummation.
From all parts of the church the tabernacle you can see,
From whence Jesus keeps calling “Come unto me”.
There as a prisoner of love he sacramentally abides
From whence divine blessings he generously provides.
The altar is made of one huge granite block
In its original state as hewn from the rock.
On light supports it would seem to be floating
On the deep blue waters of the Indian Ocean.
The benches are arranged on a gently raked floor,
From the predella of the altar back up to the door
So that the altar you can see when mass is said
Your vision not obstructed by somebody’s head.
The Oberamergau stations Fr. Noel Coughlan obtained.
In them, the parish a real work of art has gained.
From Germany the large crucifix he purchased as well,
And I feel it is only right that to you this I tell..
The choir is now seated among the people of God,
Not up in a gallery which today would be odd.
In this way they encourage more participation
From the worshipping members within the congregation.
The acoustics are excellent, good and clear
No need much for loudspeakers the preacher to hear,
For the church is deigned in such a clever way
No trouble in hearing whatever one may say.
Our loving church, dear mother and guide,
Confessionals for sinners does provide,
That you may confess to the priest, pardon obtain
From sins that trouble you, God’s grace regain.
Anxious mothers with babies that like to cry
Must never feel embarrassed, be upset or shy.
Remember your baby is Jesus’ dear little friend
You may take it to the cry room, Mass to attend.
The main aisle in the church is seen off centre,
And we are assured that in this no one did falter,
For the object of the design must not be defeated
That directly before the altar more may be seated.
Both within and without, the walls look the same,
For this is the impression we hope you to gain,
Of not feeling enclosed from the world outside
Which God has redeemed and in which you abide.
Outside the main door is a wide-open space
To meet your friends, chat face to face.
For to love one another Jesus desires very much
Is just as important as praying together in church.
From the old church tower Mary’s statue was removed.
A very difficult task for the Zulu men it proved.
With most loving care at last they did succeed
In getting it down safely, were very pleased indeed.
For fifty long years on the tower it did remain
Exposed to the weather, the wind and the rain,
Now it is a link between the old and the new.
One day it will be the shrine for all to view.
Our Patron, St. Francis Xavier, did travel this globe.
His statue is near the altar dressed in a saffron robe.
For the Hindoo Yogies in the East, Christ he did preach,
On his missionary journey there, sailed past Brighton Beach.
If in visiting this church you see good vibrations,
And in praying in it you experience many holy sensations
You may ask yourself wondering why this should be so
Well! These verses have been written to help you to know.
To all generous parishioners this poem is dedicated
In thanksgiving for the funds you so generously donated.
For although it did cost nearly a quarter million rands,
As a monument to your love of God it forever now stands.
A tribute to Hans Hallen our architect we must pay,
Who ingeniously in it’s design church teaching did portray,
Combining bricks and mortar, steel, aluminium and glass,
Has produced a beautiful temple for our Holy Mass.
John Judge and Son the church did build.
The Architect’s plan he well fulfilled,
As the church is round with no straight line
It wasn’t an easy task at any time.