St Francis church celebrates 100 years with a special centenary book

Founded in 1922, the St Francis of Assisi Anglican Church in Waterkloof, recently released a book detailing its history as part of its centenary celebrations.

For all the Saints written by Terry Brauer who has been a long-standing member of the church for over 60 years.

Brauer says that the book is meant to showcase St Francis’ rich history and transformation over 100 years.

There was a time when people used to turn to the church for help with things of this nature and I believe that the church should reclaim that role and be a symbol of hope for people,” said Brauer.

In its initial years, the St Francis church was for white people predominantly. The church would echo the sentiments of the prevailing values that governed the country and society of the time.

It wasn’t until the late 1970s and 1980s that social justice reform became a message more readily shared with members and the church would take a more inclusive, transformative stance in an era of division.

One particular visit to the church from the late Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu in the mid-1980s during the height of the then State of Emergency, Brauer describes as one she’ll “never forget and that sticks out as especially special”.

“The Covid pandemic really affected us badly in terms of numbers. We had to go online and learn how to adapt fast to carry on. It really reminds us that church is about community and it can’t be done alone. Though the numbers are slowly picking up, our voice is not as loud as it once was and we need to get back to being with and serving the community,” Brauer continued.

Brauer says the church will be looking to do more outreach activities this 2023 to engage and attract more youth and is hopeful for the future.

Those interested in the book can contact the church office at 012 346 1106.

“Church is about God at the end of the day, not the building, not all the extras, just experiencing that sense of community and being with God,” Brauer concluded.

** Article amended

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