Efforts to revive the neglected church, situated between Centurion Mall and the Lakeside building on Gordon Hood Road in Centurion, have gained momentum, with a non-profit organisation beginning work to clean and secure the property.

The Make Pretoria Great (MPG) Foundation recently carried out a clean-up at the church building as part of its wider project to restore the Centurion Lake precinct.

The organisation is also in communication with the Tshwane Metro and is seeking professional assessments to determine the restoration work required and develop a long-term plan for the property’s possible return to community use.

According to MPG spokesperson Anel du Preez, the work at the church is not a one-off clean-up but is part of the organisation’s broader restoration programme.

She told Rekord that 10 people volunteered during the weekend of August 15 and 16 to clean and secure the church and its immediate surroundings.

“On the 15th, volunteers focused on the exterior and surrounding grounds, clearing loose stones, bricks, litter and other dumped material. The team also found that some of the paving bricks outside the church were missing.”

The following day, volunteers entered the structure and cleaned the interior for the first time.

Du Preez said the team removed litter and discarded material before carrying out an initial visual inspection of the building.

The inspection revealed several possible signs of vandalism, including damaged electrical wiring and lights, missing pews and damage to the altar area. Suspected drug paraphernalia was also found inside the building.

Despite the damage, Du Preez stated the initial assessment suggested that the building still had restoration potential.

“The inside of the building appears to be in reasonably good condition. The stained-glass windows are still in place, and there were no obvious signs of active roof leaks during the initial visit.”

However, she emphasised that the organisation could not draw firm conclusions about the church building’s structural condition without a professional assessment.

“The roof and the broader structure must still be assessed by appropriately qualified professionals before accurate conclusions can be reached.”

The organisation plans to bring in the necessary expertise to determine the extent of the restoration work required.

The church was previously used as a wedding venue and community space, and MPG believes it could once again become a meaningful community facility.

Du Preez noted that the organisation viewed the building as a distinctive part of Centurion’s history, but any future use would have to be determined in consultation with the metro, which owns the property.

She said MPG is in touch with the city and is waiting for guidance on how to help manage, maintain, and preserve the facility.

The organisation’s involvement follows concerns previously raised by Ward 57 councillor Jack Page about the property’s condition. Page said the church building could potentially be returned to community use.

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo also previously confirmed that the property was not leased or occupied and said it was undergoing an assessment to determine its highest and best use.

MPG’s latest intervention has added a practical component to discussions about the property’s future.

Du Preez said the foundation did not want to clean the church once and leave it to deteriorate again.

“The next phase will focus on clearing the route between the pedestrian bridge and the church, including removing vegetation, debris and dumped material.”

The MPG spokesperson said the long-term frequency and scope of maintenance would depend on the site’s condition and the formal arrangements reached with the city.

Residents who visited the church during the clean-up weekend have responded positively, according to Du Preez, with some expressing relief that the property and its surroundings were finally receiving attention after years of neglect.

She said the foundation wants the church building to be properly assessed and restored before it is ultimately returned to safe and meaningful community use.

VIDEO: A non-profit organisation has begun cleaning and securing the neglected property as it works with the Tshwane Metro towards professional assessments and a possible restoration plan.
-The condition of the church inside before the cleanup was carried out. Supplied pic.twitter.com/OxKRqC8Yni

— Pretoria Rekord (@RekordNewspaper) August 19, 2026

Du Preez said community members, organisations and businesses interested in supporting the wider restoration initiative could do so by volunteering, providing equipment or specialist expertise, supporting clean-up and restoration activities, or partnering with the foundation on long-term maintenance.

She said the initiative was based on the principle of ‘My Home, My Town, My City’, which encourages communities to take responsibility for neglected public spaces.

“This is about more than one building or one clean-up. It is about taking responsibility for the places that belong to all of us.”

Du Preez shared that MPG is prepared to mobilise volunteers, partnerships and specialist support once the metro provides direction on the chapel’s future.

Residents and organisations interested in supporting the initiative can sign up through the Make Pretoria Great Foundation’s website under the Support Us section.

Link: https://mpgf.org.za/

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