The Archdeaconry of Alexandria   Christ Church, Alexandria It is not possible to identify the exact date on which life began for the Anglican Church in Alexandria, But it is recorded by Bishop Gray, in his journals, that on 22 August 1850, he rode from Salem to Churchplace (now Alexandria) where the English speaking community spoke to him of their desire for a resident English speaking minister. Until this time they had receive services once a month conducted by the Revd T Henchman. Colonial Chaplain at Uitenhage, the Revd P Copeman was appointed to the chaplaincy of Sidbury in 1857, with special permission to live on a farm close to Alexandria. In May of 1856, the first recorded baptism, that of William Henry Deacon, appears in the register, with the Revd Mr Copeman officiating. It is interesting to note that the descendants of both these persons still worship in the parish, as the year 2000 draws closer! The Bishop of Grahamstown, the Rt Revd Henry Cotterill laid the foundation stone of Christ Church Alexandria in 1860, and first reference to the completed building is found with the recorded marriage of James Edward Nightingale and Louisa Short, in July 1863. Only in 1904 was the commencement made with the building of a Rectory, and this was completed the following year, at a cost of stlg604. St David, Bushmansrivermouth St David's was built on land donated in 1937 by Mrs Natalie Cullen and dedicated by her husband, Bishop A H Cullen in 1939, but records show that services at Bushman's River were held as early as January 1911. Early services were held in the home of the Revd Voyle Morgan who bequeathed the house to the diocese as a holiday home for clergy. This cottage has since been disposed of and the diocesan trustees are waiting to reinvest the proceeds in suitable real estate. Extra improvements in size and function have been necessitated by a growing congregation which averages between sixty and seventy most Sundays, but which balloons to over 800 for the three services catering for the Christmas holiday influx. The firm foundation laid by generations of faithful priests, aided by generous and God-centred laity, that enables this parish to approach the next century with confidence. All Saints, Paterson This little Church is, sadly, no more. In the months during the run up to the 1994 elections this isolated place of worship, situated alongside the main highway northwards was too tempting a target for frustrated arsonists and was put to the torch. Before this happened Anglican congregants had become so few, that the building had been leased to the local Methodists at the nominal rental of R1 per annum! First record of a service at Paterson, or Sandflats as it has also been known, is taken from Alexandria records of 1893. For some time the place was under the pastoral care of the clergy from St Mary's Church, PE, but was placed under the care of the rector of Alexandria in 1941. The original wood and iron church later became the "mission church" while the brick building, recently reduced to ashes, was built in 1902. St Peter, Kenkelbos St Peter's stands alongside the main road 48kms from Port Elizabeth, on ground donated by one time churchwarden R J Newcombe. The first building dedicated in 1909 was made of wood and iron, but was rebuilt in brick in 1940. The wood and iron hall has been used for community functions since 1931. Despite paucity of numbers, the St Peter's congregation is one of the most remarkably active groups of people in the Diocese with a very high percentage actively involved in Bible Study groups and effective community outreach. St Hugh, Newton Park In 1922, Canon Mayo, the Rector of St Mary's Church, started visiting the parishioners in a developing area called Fairview. The pastoral work started to develop and building a church became a need. Canon Mayo remarked: "A church on a hill cannot be hid", and so chose the present location. The present Mayo Hall was the original church building with the turning of the first sod on 25 April 1925. As Mr Jenkins, one of the pioneers in establishing the parish church, turned that first sod a small golden-coloured cross was revealed which was taken as a sign of the Lord's confirmation of the site for His church. In 1931 St Hugh's became a chapelry of St Mary's and paid an assessment. During the same year, a bell, called `Little Hugh', was installed and pealed the call for people to come and worship. In 1932 Fairview was renamed Newton Park, with St Hugh's becoming a separate parish in 1953, with responsibility for St Albans, Draaifontein and Holy Trinity, Thornhill. When Kabega started flourishing it was also responsible for All Saints Church. It took 30 years to accumulate enough money to start building the present church structure. In August 1955 the foundation stone was laid. Above this is a 700 year old stone shaped like a crozier and was part of the Angel Choir (St Hugh's tomb), in Lincoln Cathedral, of which he was Bishop. It was sent in 1951 when it fell from the Choir. Over the past years the main hall has been added with a kitchen and then the Training Centre, with the Diocesan and Bishop's office upstairs. One of the many blessings is that of many vocations to the ordained ministry raised and nurtured the parish. Many members of the clergy in this diocese and around, were formerly parishioners at St Hugh's. We pray that the Lord of the harvest may raise many more men and women to the ordained ministry in the years ahead. Another blessing is the establishment of the Maranatha Foundation. This complex of cottages provides homes for many of the senior parishioners, with a superb Frail Care Centre attached. This, along with many other parish initiatives, is a sign of the ongoing commitment to mission. St Paul, Parsons Hill St Paul's is the second oldest Anglican Parish in Port Elizabeth. Sunday School was started in 1850, the first services for adults began in 1853 and the laying of the foundation stone of the original church took place in October 1854. Part of the early ministry of the parish was the establishment of a school in 1861. In its time, the parish has given rise to many congregations, of which St Mark's, and St Matthew's no longer exist. By the time of the establishment of the diocese of Port Elizabeth, St Paul's had already moved to its present site in Parsons Hill. The original Church stood on the corner of Albany Road and what is now Main Street. In 1960 the move finally took place. Reasons for the move were the decreasing population around the old church, the expropriation that was to accompany the widening of Main Street and the deterioration of the buildings. A service in the old Church on the morning of 11 December was followed later in the day by a procession to Parsons Hill and the dedication service of the new church. This was conducted by Archbishop Robert Selby Taylor, then Bishop of Grahamstown. The present Church reflects the continuity of witness over more than 140 years, in the magnificent stained glass windows, the pulpit, lectern and other items transferred from the original church. These are now housed in a modern building, a feature of which is the Chapel. One side of the chapel is glassed in, enabling the congregation, while they are at worship, always to be reminded of the needy world for which Jesus died and in which we are to proclaim and show his love. St Michael and All Angels, Schauderville Essex Street Mission Room, Port Elizabeth, was the forerunner of St Michael and All Angels, being blessed by Canon J Cowan in 1938. By November 1940 the Revd Harry Burvill, Incumbent of St Philips and St James wrote that the church was raising money for the erection of St Michael's. Sunday 27 July 1941 was a momentous occasion with the laying of the foundation stone by Archibald, Bishop of Grahamstown. The Revd Harry Burvill was joined in his ministry by the Revd G Walters as assistant Curate, with Sr Mabel and Miss Walker joining the ministry in 1941. On 31 January 1942 the dedication of the Church of St Michael and All Angels by the Lord Bishop of Grahamstown, took place. All were present from the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor and the whole Anglican family of Churches. In his sermon the Bishop spoke of the dedication of the great Warrior Angel"as being peculiarily suitable at this time of war, for we need to remember that the spiritual warfare between the forces of good and evil is ever going on." The church continues to serve the community of Schauderville and, over the years, many members of the parish family have found their vocation in the ordained ministry: Cyril Mueller, Theodore Thomas, Andrew Jantjies, Trevor Adams, Cliff Felix, Roland Prince and the late Witness Mpuntsha. The parish priorities for the following years are, "To do more for senior citizens; and to strengthen our youth ministry through equipping our Sunday School teachers". Sunday's River Valley There were originally three independent Anglican Churches in the Valley viz St Luke's, Addo; St Michael's, Summerville and All Saints, Kirkwood. Of these St Luke's is the oldest, having been built on land donated by the Harvey family in 1895. It was serviced by the Railway Mission until 1952, mostly services being conducted by clergy attached to the Mission. Some present members can still remember the railway coach which was hooked off at Addo Station, and served as the `home' for the parson! Services were also held in the classroom of the little Summerville school, "which was not at all comfortable" according to Mrs Willard Coltman. All Saints followed, being erected in 1906 at Bayville. However, "after the village of Kirkwood had been established as the admitted successor in importance to Bayville, it was felt that the church was far from the new township, and in 1938, it was removed, brick by brick, and rebuilt on its present site". (quotation from "Sundays River Valley" by Jane Meiring). Sadly, due to diminishing numbers of Anglicans in Kirkwood, All Saints is now used to house a pre-primary school. St Michael's, Summerville, was completed shortly after World War II and most of the material used was donated by members of the congregation. The pews come from St Mary's, PE. In 1952, the three churches combined to form the Parish of Sundays River Valley with St Michael's as headquarters. It has a membership of about 60 families at present.