|
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.
In 1855, the Liesbeeck River flooded and the newly built Church was washed away! However the Presbytery was saved, resluting in the two front rooms of the Presbytery serving as a "church" until 1858 when the second, or missionary church was built.
In 1958, Fr Meagher opened a school which prospered, in one form or anoher, until 1877. The wall at the back of the stage in the school hall, looking down into the present Church, was part of the original missionary church.
In 1885, the Stone church was built and the missinary church was converted into classrooms. The much-loved Stone church remained until 1969 when the new, present-day Church was ready. Incidentally, there was quite a battle of words between the traditionals who had great affection for the stone Church and those who realised a larger Church was essential. In 1971, the present Church was consecrated. The stained glass windows in the side chapes come from the Stone Church, as do those in the sacristy.
In 1943, the property on the other side of Rouwkoop Road was sold. The Dominican sisters, who ran a school on the property, moved into the present Parish Centre and consolidated their school.
The Kelly room was built in 1948, which was the only accommodation the Parish had for meetings, dances, socials, etc. gradually other accommodation was added until the Parish bought back the Centre from the Dominicans in 1977. |