Sheppie church plagued by problems

CRIME, filth and illegal parking practices are deeply troubling the parishioners of St Katharine’s Anglican Church in Port Shepstone, which celebrated its 110th birthday this week.

The church which has been involved in uplifting and helping the community for more than a century is appealing to the municipality to help so it can continue its ministry.

These days church-goers or visitors have to wangle their way past driving school trucks which are parked at the Reynolds Street entrance of the church.

Church secretary, Michelle Carless, says the situation has become progressively worse making it extremely difficult to enter the grounds when there are weekly Masses, funeral services or events taking place at the church.

“Not only is it illegal to park in front of an entrance, but it is a very dangerous situation, literally an accident waiting to happen,” she said.

And the place of worship’s entrance is also very unsightly, a section of the cemetery wall is broken with heaps of rubble lying around, piles of rotting litter is strewn everywhere and the stench of urine is overpowering.

“How sad to have schoolchildren and visitors being exposed to a terrible mess at a house of God,” said Mrs Carless.

Parishioner Sphe Hlophe said he was horrified that rubbish was simply being dumped in front of the church and he was disgusted by the putrid smell emanating from the mess.

“I couldn’t stand the smell and had to cover my mouth with my hand,” he said.

Over the last year a wave of crime has also plagued the church and recently criminals even made off with an urn after breaking into the church’s kitchen.

Mrs Carless said thousands of rands had been spent on trying to make the church more secure.

Hibiscus Coast Municipality’s spokesman, Simon Soboyisa, said the matter had been forwarded to the relevant department.

“The department has confirmed that an inspection and an investigation will be conducted this week in order to ascertain the root cause of the problem,” he said.