Christ Church

Did Christ Church always stand here, a beacon of faith in the heart of Johannesburg? No. Its story began long before its consecration in 1960. Christ Church, officially the Cathedral of Christ the King, stands as a testament to the growth of the Catholic community in Johannesburg. The old cathedral on Kerk Street, built in 1896, became too small for the burgeoning congregation. The dream of a new, grander cathedral began in the 1930s with Bishop David O’Leary, Johannesburg’s first South African-born Catholic bishop. World War II interrupted those plans. O’Leary sadly passed away in 1950, but his vision lived on. In 1957, Bishop W.P. Whelan secured the land on Saratoga Avenue and End Street. Christ Church rose from the ground, a blend of traditional form and modern architecture, designed by Brian Gregory from Belfast. The rough concrete finish, a warm rose-brown, gives the impression of hewn rock. Inside, light streams through stained-glass windows, some depicting biblical scenes, others showcasing abstract patterns. High above, the wooden canopy over the altar forms a hyperbolic paraboloid, a testament to innovative design. Christ Church is more than just concrete and glass. It represents the unwavering faith and dedication of the Catholic community in Johannesburg. It embodies the dream of a great city deserving a great cathedral.