Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Anglican Church, Woodstock, Cape TownW

Father Mark Abrahams

WELCOME .....
... to our website, the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Woodstock.

Message from the most Reverend Desmond M. Tutu, D.D. F.K.C. - 1988
"(c.1988) 133 years is a sizable piece of South African history and it is wonderful to know that for all these years faithful people have worshipped within this most beautiful and historic parish church.....
Much has happened during this time. Baptisms, Confirmations, Weddings and Funerals bear testimony to the ebb and flow of a changing world.
Many a joyous moment, marked by celebrations of the Mass, Music, Song and Colour have been mixed, especially more recently, with great sadness as for example when many from the congregation were uprooted by the evil of the Group Areas Act.... STILL this church remained.
Worship goes on, Life is lived and celebrated; people showing that even in the face of unbridled evil, they can stand firm in the faith of our Lord and Saviour."
May your church always stand firm, ever faithful and ever prepared to hold to the truth. May you continue to be a beacon of light in Woodstock, and a place of deep reverent and joyous worship. What a wonderful heritage you have.
God Bless you.
Yours sincerely,
The Most Reverend Desmond M. Tutu, D.D. F.K.C.

Taken from the book: A History of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin : 1859 - 1992, by R.R. Langham-Carter

The Church of St. Mary the Virgin (Woodstock, Cape Town) is a faithful small parish with a rich and great history. In 2009, this parish celebrates 150 years, a long history of Anglican worship, for such a young country - South Africa.

BELOW... an extract by the forward by: (then) The Ven. R.C. Alexander
We daresay that it took real dedication and hard work in those early days. So we give Thanks to God for all our founders and benefactors and for all those who lived, worked and worshipped in this Parish for the past 148 years.
May God help us to continue his work in this part of his vineyard. And may we be worthy of those who have gone before us.
Our grateful thanks goes to the following who were instrumental in producing the book: A History of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin : 1859 - 1992, by R.R. Langham-Carter:
Father Ogilvie - for his encouragement
Mr. Langham-Carter - for the historical data
Mr. R. Clark - for collating and printing
(Last but not Least) - all the past and present parishioners who supplied photographs
I commend the above book, to be read by all parishioners both past and present.
May God Bless you all.
The Ven. R.C. Alexander

Churches that grew out of St.Mary the Virgin and is considered by all as the Mother Church to in the Woodstock area and beyond:.
St. Lukes (Salt River)
All Saints (Roodebloem)
St. Batholomew (Walmer Estate)
and many more ...
WE hope that all who venture to our website will enjoy the content, find what they are looking for, but most of all... make contact with us and do visit us when in our area.
The Book : A History of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin : 1859 - 1992, by R.R. Langham-Carter, is still available for purchase from the rectory office.

line

MUSIC
Looking for Anglican Music (with MIDI files)? link to the Ancient & Modern New Standard website.

HALL for HIRE:
We have a very convenient historic hall for hire, with secure enclosed parking and a resident caretaker. So should you need to host a function, please consider us in your planning.