Welcome

In 1853, Fr J J Griffith was appointed priest of what was to become St Michael's Church. Mass was first celebrated in a house on the site of the present Dutch Reformed Church at the corner of Edison Road.

In 1854, a section of Rouwkoop Estate was bought and the building of a new church began. The land included the present church property, as well as that on which Welverdiend and Avondust stand today.

• The Southern Cross and Kolbe Society were born in the Presbytery.
• St Vincent de Paul Society (established in 1907, fourth in South Africa).
• St Michael's is the Mother Church for Wynberg, Claremont, Athlone, Phillippi, and Matroosfontein.
• St Michael's launches a move to bring all local Church leaders together in dialogue.
• 1995 First Permanent Deacon appointed: Rev Allan Herbert

Early Days…. Catholic Church in Rondebosch
                                                                                                                                                            Quick Reads by Jack Rivers

The cold winter winds howl through the trees and driving rain pelts the faithful as they trudge forward along the muddy road to Cape Town. The road bordered by vineyards that run along the sides Devil’s Peak. The vines stand waving their spindly branches like scarecrows in the winter landscape. Come summertime the vines will yield sweet hanepoort grapes. But now, they offer no comfort to the cold pedestrians as they trudge onward to St. Mary’s Cathedral.

Taken from the Southern Cross, Wednesday May 3 1933.

Father James Kelly

An appreciation by Arnold Weisbecker

The leaves are falling.  We older people notice it.  I did this beautiful autumn morning as I went down the oak-lined lane to St Michael’s Rondebosch, for news of Fr Kelly. Yesterday, I saw him at Matroosfontein: he was sinking. He recognized me; that was all.  The fullness of that brief moment epitomized half a century of friendship. His amiable “Yes” through pain and semi-consciousness, meant everything to us.  Heart spoke to heart …… He is dead. Another leaf has fallen