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TAIL OF
THE DOG

St Mary’s the Less

ohannesburg was established Undaunted, the church shows none Afterwards, we were invited into the
in 1886, shortly after gold was of these symptoms, and was glowing tiny garden outside the church which
Jdiscovered on the Reef. with freshly painted walls, a newly had flowerbeds full of colour, tables
One of the first buildings which still repaired roof (thanks to help from the laden with food prepared by the
stands is an Anglican Church in Johannesburg Heritage Foundation), ladies of the congregation, a special
Jeppe, St Mary’s the Less. gleaming brass fenders in front of birthday cake iced with an image of
Designed by Arthur Reid, purportedly the nave, and the interior cleaned the church which was ceremoniously
the first architect on the Rand, it was and polished and shining with joy cut by the Bishop, the children
erected in 1889, and extensions were and pride. The wall behind the altar passing cool drinks and bottles of
added in 1897, 1904 and 1908. On is a special blue in honour of Mary, water to anyone who did not want the
September 8th this year, this church representing the heavens, spirituality tea or coffee also on offer.
celebrated its 135th birthday, a truly and inner peace.
historic event for Johannesburg. It The one thing they had not managed
was first named St Mary’s Church, The Bishop of Johannesburg to get into working order for this
but when Johannesburg’s new St celebrated the service, part of special day was the organ. This is
Mary’s Cathedral (designed by Frank which was a processional, led by a project which will be tackled in
Fleming and Herbert Baker) was the Bishop in his mitre and with his the near future, and I hope to be at
consecrated in 1929, the original shepherd’s crook, followed by the a service when the organ is back
church was renamed St Mary’s the resident priest, the servers, incense at work. Original music sheets and
Less. bearer and the entire congregation, hymn books were put out in front
out the side door of the church into of the imaginary organist, but the
The birthday service was wonderful. the street, down the road and back music for the service had been
The church was full of congregants in through the main entrance door recorded and was played though a
who have been faithfully attending at the back. Curious onlookers kept giant speaker next to the organ, an
for generations, and who now come a respectful distance, and once we appropriate mix of old and new.
from further afield than Jeppestown, were all back inside, the service
an area which is suffering from continued.
serious urban decay and neglect. Gill Butler

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