Christ the King Anglican Church - Sophiatown, Johannesburg

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The tower of the Christ the King Church was declared a national monument and in 2004. (Image adapted). © Mail&Guardian

Christ the King Anglican Church - Sophiatown, Johannesburg

Christ the King Anglican Church was originally designed by Frank Flemming and built in 1935 in Ray Street, Triomf ("Triumph") and is the only complete remnant of Sophiatown. Under the leadership of the anti-apartheid campaigner, Archbishop Trevor Huddleston, the church was made famous in the 1940s and 1950 when he was followed by the security police. In 1955 the Archbishop was recalled to England, the same year the forced removals started. It was on 9 February 1955 when 2 000 policemen, armed with guns, knobkerries and rifles, forcefully moved the families of Sophiatown to Meadowlands, Soweto, in the name of the Group Areas Act. Most of the structures in Sophiatown were flattened by bulldozers but Christ the King Church survived. Over the following years the church went through a turbulent time. By 1963 almost 65000 people were moved to Meadowlands.

The church is a simple but beautiful building and its most distinctive feature was a mural painted between 1939 and 1941 by Sister Margaret. The mural was painted in beautiful colours and transformed the simple church with its wooden-beamed ceiling, into something truly spectacular. In 1967 the church was sold to the department of community development, after which the building was badly vandalised and the beautiful mural had graffiti and racist slogans sprayed over it.

The Nederduits Hervormde Kerk bought the building in the 1970s and the mural was whitewashed. The church changed hands again and the Pinkster Protestante Kerk made significant changes to the building adding a hall and gallery, and wooden panelling and false organ pipes changed the look of the interior. It was only in 1997 that the Anglican Church acquired the building again, trying to restore it as best as possible to its former state, but sadly its most prized feature still lies quietly under the whitewash waiting to be restored. Recent years have seen the return of many of its former worshippers who travel each Sunday from Soweto to attend the services.

Archbishop Trevor Huddleston returned to South Africa in 1991 where he was met by his close friend Walter Sisulu. In 1995 he tried to settle in South Africa but found it difficult at his age and returned to England where he died 1998 at the age of 85. His ashes were returned to South Africa and are buried in the grounds of the Christ the King church, under monolith-shaped stones.
The tower of the Christ the King Church was declared a national monument and in 2004 a mural, depicting Archbishop Trevor Huddleston walking the dusty streets of Sophiatown, with two children tugging at his cossack, was painted by 12 apprentice artists under the patronage of the Gerard Sekoto Foundation on the northern exterior wall of the church.

The church has a sung Eucharist every Sunday from 09:00 to 11:00 where all are welcome as well as Sunday evening services at 18:00.

For more information please contact the church office:
Address: 49 Ray St, Sophiatown, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.
Tel: +27-11-4778410
Email:secretary01@telkom.co.za

Accommodation Near Christ the King Anglican Church - Sophiatown, Johannesburg

Showing 1 to 10 of 10 results

Sleeps 14 in 6 units

^FromR 715

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Melville Gap Guest House

Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Melville

2.5km from Christ the King Anglican Church - Sophiatown, Johannesburg

Mellville Gap Guest House is situated a stone's throw from the Bohemian suburb of Melville's famous 7th Street with its vibe atmosphere, pavement cafes, cozy restaurants, antique/vintage stores and cocktail clubs, we are in the perfect location... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Guest Rating: 10

Sleeps 14 in 6 units

^FromR 700

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* Rates may vary according to season

7th Street Guest House

Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Melville

3.2km from Christ the King Anglican Church - Sophiatown, Johannesburg

7th Street Guest House offers bed and breakfast accommodation in Melville, Johannesburg. With 13 luxury en suite rooms equipped with DSTV, Wifi internet access, heaters, hairdryers, fans, digital safes, coffee/tea facilities and bar fridges stocked... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Sleeps 11 in 4 units

^FromR 350

Per person, per night sharing

* Rates may vary according to season

Panhandle Place Cottages

Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Johannesburg Area

4.9km from Christ the King Anglican Church - Sophiatown, Johannesburg

Panhandle Place Cottages are lovely self-catering units in a beautiful garden setting with views of the Johannesburg city skyline. We are centrally placed in an old Johannesburg suburb with tree-lined streets, safe for walking and jogging. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Sleeps 10 in 3 units

^FromR 600

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Forest Town Guest Cottages

Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Forest Town

6km from Christ the King Anglican Church - Sophiatown, Johannesburg

Forest Town Guest Cottages situated in Forest Town in Johannesburg. These attractively and comfortably furnished villas are self-contained, separate and private, 1- and 2-bedroom villas to suit families, the business traveller and tourists. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Sleeps 4 in 1 unit

^FromR 375

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Apartment at 34 Columbine

Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Randpark

6.3km from Christ the King Anglican Church - Sophiatown, Johannesburg

The Apartment is a double story self catering fully equipped with linen and towels. It can sleep 4 persons. Downstairs it boasts an open plan kitchen - equipped with dishwasher, microwave, fridge opening on to the dining room area, a bathroom... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Sleeps 8 in 4 units

^FromR 1440

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The Jack Rose

Hotel / Boutique Hotel Accommodation in Johannesburg Area

6.7km from Christ the King Anglican Church - Sophiatown, Johannesburg

The The Jack Rose offers the perfect Rosebank accommodation for business and leisure travellers. There are 56 huge rooms and apartments, the beds are comfortable, the WiFi is fast & free and the coffee is GOOD! This perfect location makes getting... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Sleeps 8 in 3 units

^FromR 1557

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The Residency Jellicoe

Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Johannesburg Area

6.8km from Christ the King Anglican Church - Sophiatown, Johannesburg

Located centrally in the affluent and upmarket area of Rosebank, The Residency Jellicoe offers our valued guests the option of three different apartment types: A hotel room, a one-bedroom apartment, or a two-bedroom apartment, allowing for the... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Sleeps 5 in 1 unit

^FromR 350

Per person, per night sharing

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Littlefields Luxury Self Catering Suite

Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Randburg

11.8km from Christ the King Anglican Church - Sophiatown, Johannesburg

Modern Luxury Self Catering Suite in Olivedale (Non Smoking) with:Separate Entrance. Smoking Section Outside Secure High Wall with Safe Parking. In Safe Boomed off Area. Marble and wooden floors. Combined Lounge Kitchen with Full DSTV... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

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Sleeps 24 in 11 units

^FromR 400

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Grosvenor Inn

Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Bryanston, Johannesburg

12.3km from Christ the King Anglican Church - Sophiatown, Johannesburg

Grosvenor Inn provides spacious bed and breakfast accommodation in Bryanston, Sandton, Johannesburg. "The most outstanding quality of the Grosvenor Inn is the welcoming and friendly atmosphere created by the management and staff who go to great lengths... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

Sleeps 8 in 4 units

^FromR 1550

Per person, per night sharing

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The Syrene Boutique Hotel

Hotel / Boutique Hotel Accommodation in Rivonia

14.7km from Christ the King Anglican Church - Sophiatown, Johannesburg

The Syrene is a friendly, professionally run four star boutique hotel featuring the luxury of business class travel. As the name suggests our guests will experience a quiet, private and tranquil setting offering best in class accommodation... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.

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