St Mary’s Anglican Church, a historic pillar of the community for decades, is facing a crisis as persistent crime and vandalism leave congregants feeling unsafe in their own place of worship.

According to Rob Trautmann of St Mary’s Anglican Church, the situation has reached breaking point.

“This problem has been ongoing for years,” Trautmann said. “No matter how hard we try to secure the property, the same things keep happening.”

He explained that homeless individuals repeatedly break through fences, throw rubbish into the church yard, steal and vandalise church property and use church entrances as toilets.

“They even stole the gate motor.”

Trautmann added that the situation has gone far beyond damage to infrastructure.

“There have been threats towards me and towards parishioners,” he said. “Cellphones have been grabbed. The list just goes on.”

During a recent visit by the Herald, further damage was visible on the church grounds. Metal bars on one of the gates had been broken, and a metal cross mounted on a remembrance wall appeared to be almost torn off.

“This is sacred ground for us,” Trautmann said. “Seeing things like a memorial cross nearly broken off is heartbreaking.”

The challenges have directly affected how congregants access the church.

Since late 2022, members have been forced to change their normal entry routes due to safety concerns, with the most convenient entrance at the back of the building closed off.

“What should be a place of peace has become a place of anxiety,” Trautmann said. “People should not feel unsafe coming to worship.”

Although tents that once stood directly outside the church have since been removed, the problem has not disappeared. Homeless individuals continue to live in the area surrounding the church, and congregants say the impact on church activities remains severe.

DA councillor Madra de Bruin confirmed that the issue has persisted for as long as she has served as ward councillor.

“It is a serious problem,” de Bruin said. “But it is now the worst it has ever been.” She acknowledged that the situation has deteriorated despite repeated awareness of the issue. “This has been ongoing for years,” she said. “And it has reached a point where it cannot be ignored any longer.”

A query was submitted to the local municipality regarding the situation at St Mary’s Anglican Church. By the time of going to print, the municipality referred the Herald to the Department of Social Development and the SAPS.

For the church and its members, however, the reality remains unchanged.

“This is supposed to be a sanctuary,” Trautmann said. “Instead, we are constantly repairing damage, dealing with fear, and trying to protect our people.”

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Facts about St Mary’s Anglican Church:

• St Mary’s Anglican Church in Potchefstroom, the first Anglican church north of the Vaal River, was established in 1862.
• It’s first building was erected in 1867.
• Following the destruction of the original structure after the Boer War, the current, notable stone church was designed by John George Crone and completed in 1891.