Enter St Mary’s Anglican Church with caution

The St Mary’s Anglican church in Potchefstroom has been in existence for decades. After many years, members of the church are now restricted from entering their place of worship.

Since late last year, homeless people and vagrants have camped outside the church, making it difficult for churchgoers to enter, in peace. According to a church representative, who asked to remain anonymous, the tres- passers initially occupied the space occasionally and moved whenever they were asked. However, a few months later, before he [church representative] knew it, they occupied the area permanently.

“ We used to use the entrance behind the church because it was close to the church. Now that this issue has got worse, we have had to use an alternative gate for the members to feel safer,” he said.
DA councillor Jeanne Adriaanse says they are aware of the issue and are currently working on a way forward to resolve the problem. “We are in discussion with relevant stakeholders and have had a meeting with interested parties in the CBD area,” she said.

According to Adriaanse, they aim to uplift and take back the inner city area, of which both Ward 15 and 24 form part.
“I believe we will succeed with this joint ‘partnership’ in cleaning up this area from filth and crime and giving dignity back to all concerned,” she said.

To make matters worse, the church has also been battling a water leak for the past two months, which also affects the alternative entrance. “We have also reported this issue numerous times but the municipality is yet to assist,” the church representative explained.

The leak has made even cutting and maintaining the grass impossible, making the church look unmaintained. He added that this was unfair to members. The church should be a place of comfort and refuge, but that has not been the case for them. The Herald had not received any comment from the municipality at the time of print.