St Boniface Catholic Church will be celebrating its 100th year anniversary in December.
Image: Supplied
ST BONIFACE Roman Catholic Church will commemorate its 100th anniversary on December 8, where over 3,500 guests are expected to attend the celebrations this year.
Inno Khunou, on behalf of the parish priest Reverend Father Tumelo Mosito, said that Catholic missionaries recognised the need to make education accessible to the Galeshewe community.
"St Boniface Mission owes its beginning to a zealous, the late Monsignor Archbishop Herman Joseph Meysing. The mission was home to many German priests and nuns, including American and Irish brothers who offered their lives to teach and groom the black children, while it was considered 'unfashionable' during the apartheid era. These selfless missionaries inspired youths of Galeshewe and surrounding areas to respond to the call to the priesthood."
She added that the original church building was established by Archbishop Meysing.
"It stood firm through the 2nd World War II and served as a safe haven for Galeshewe residents during the school and political uprisings in the 1970s and 1980s, irrespective of faith or religion. Hence, the African National Congress recognised the contribution of the church during the struggle and brought its centenary light to the church in a special ceremony."
Khunoe stated that the old church building and six classrooms burnt down on February 18, 1966.
"With God's Grace, it was rebuilt eight months later and serves as the current St Boniface church building as it stands proud today in Corless Road."
Preparations are underway to celebrate the church's 100th anniversary.
Image: Supplied
Khunou said parish priests Reverend Father Tumelo Mosito and Reverend Father Nathi Lempe served the Catholic congregation in Greenpoint, Riverton, and Romance.
"To date, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kimberley has over 40 priests and deacons serving various communities under the stewardship of Bishop Duncan Theodore Tsoke since April 17, 2021, while membership has grown in leaps and bounds."
She added that St Boniface School was the alma mater of esteemed professionals including a Constitutional Judge, paediatricians, medical doctors, business and mining executives, pharmacists, advocates, accountants engineers, geologists, marketing and branding specialists, social workers, IT specialists, political leaders, most of whom were assisted financially by the church.
"Preparations are going ahead to host the celebration on December 13, where funds are being raised through a paschal meal (last supper) that will be held at the church hall on April 16 at 6 pm. An amapiano Soul R&B concert featuring various DJs will be held at TBG in Vergenoeg on April 26. More events are lined up during September," Khunoe added.
Related Topics: