First constructed in 1834, St George’s Cathedral in the centre of Cape Town was later demolished and rebuilt in 1906. The reason? The original building resembled a pagan temple and was deemed unsuitable as a Christian house of prayer. All that remains of the first church is the cross that was once a part of the spire and now located at the church entrance.
St George’s Cathedral is an Anglican church which received the title of cathedral when the first Bishop arrived from England in 1849. The later building was designed by well-known architect Sir Herbert Baker and constructed from Table Mountain sandstone in French Gothic style. Beautiful stained glass windows adorn the church and the interior has some remarkable features, one notable being a wooden black Madonna, rarely found in Africa.
Below the cathedral is a crypt, used nowadays as a jazz venue by night and café by day. The occasional art display pops-up in the crypt. The outside courtyard has a labyrinth to walk a spiritual journey.
St George’s is best remembered for the event that took place in 1989 when the Anglican Archbishop at the time, Desmond Tutu, led a peaceful mass protest against apartheid rule. Roughly 30000 people gathered outside the cathedral to voice their opposing of apartheid and the event highlighted to the world the plight of those suffering under apartheid rule. The march brought together people of all colours which prompted Desmond Tutu to refer to South Africans as the ‘rainbow nation’.
On most Sunday evenings the St George’s Choir perform a music service to appreciative crowds.
The building is still a work in progress but is slowly nearing completion as donations become more available. A booklet can be purchased at the door with details of the interior and the cathedral’s history.
