" This is God’s hill, in which it pleaseth him to dwell: the Lord will abide in it forever.

From the slopes of Signal Hill, the City of Cape Town, with Table Bay Harbour and Table Mountain, present a magnificent picture. The parishioners of Saint Paul’s Church refer to themselves as the “People on the Hill”. For them it is God’s hill. There is no room for the devil on it – he has, in any case, his own peak on the other side of the city. He has never succeeded to cross the gulf between the two hills.

For hundreds of years, generations of families have worshipped at Saint Paul’s Church. Today many of their descendants live in various parts of this country and some have settled as immigrants overseas. Spiritual flames, which sparked off on the hill, shine brightly, in these new surroundings.

Two parochial institutions, Saint Monica’s maternity Home and Saint Paul’s School, influenced the community greatly. Many were born in the Maternity Home and some received their primary education in the parish school. Such links are not easily forgotten. No one will doubt the presence of God on the hill. He will abide in it for ever.

By the Rev. JOHN. P. HESS, L. Th.
FORMER RECTOR OF ST. PAUL’S CHURCH

THE GUEST HOUSE

St. Paul’s Guest House was founded in 1993, by Rev. Michael Owens (a former priest at St. Paul’s Parish). The Guest house was started as an alternative option to the expensive hotel establishments, having as its focus, accommodation for priests and less fortunate travelers whom could not afford to stay at hotels. More..

MINISTRY

To fulfill the call of God in our lives as individuals, striving as the body of Christ to fulfill our lives moving towards wholeness through forgiveness, penitence, worship and prayer in accordance with the will of God as revealed in Holy Scriptures

SERVICES

Worship and spirituality
Christian education
Sunday School/Dance & Drama
HIV/Aids
Mission and Evangelism
Social Responsibility
Church Finance stewardship
Mothers Union
General Church Maintenance
Anglican Woman’s fellowship
Sides persons
Parish ministry discernment
Server’s Guild
Pastoral Care

ABOUT ST PAUL
St Paul

Paul the Apostle, Apostle to the Gentiles, Martyr

Saint Paul the apostle (Hebrew: שאול התרסי‎ Šaʾul HaTarsi, meaning "Saul of Tarsus", was, together with Saint Peter and James the Just, the most notable of early Christian missionaries. Unlike the Twelve Apostles, there is no indication that Paul, born in Tarsus, ever met Jesus before the latter's crucifixion. According to Acts, his conversion took place as he was traveling the road to Damascus, and experienced a vision of the resurrected Jesus. Paul asserts that he received the Gospel not from man, but by "the revelation of Jesus Christ". more..
HISTORY
On Tuesday, March 12th, 1878, the Foundation Stone of St. Paul's Mission Church was laid by the Bishop of Cape Town, Archbishop William West Jones, on a site in Bree Street. However it is important to remember that the Mission Congregation had been active for twenty years before this. The new church would hold 400 worshippers and the total cost was £2600. On Tuesday, March 30th, 1880, St. Paul’s Church was consecrated by Archbishop West Jones who preached from the text from Psalm 93. "The Lord is King and hath put on glorious apparel". There was a large congregation. The Parish registers begin from this date and many of the names in those early records are still well known in the parish today. The first Baptism to take place was that of Joseph James Palmer, son of Samuel and Sarah Palmer of 159 Bree Street. The original pulpit and panels for the altar were designed by Miss Catherine Frere, daughter of the Governor, Sir Bartle Frere, and were made at Zonnebloem Kaffir Native College. They were given by the English Church Friendly Society. In 1885 St. Paul's Church was beautified by the addition of seven stained-glass windows which were dedicated - "in memory of Dean Douglas and the parents, wife and son of Archdeacon Lightfoot”. On Sunday, January 24th, 1899, the completed tower was consecrated by His Grace the Archbishop and the same year he laid the foundation stone of the new Mission School. St. Paul's has been fruitful ground for producing bishops for the Church and the first of these was Lavis who became the Parish Priest after Archdeacon Lightfoot. It was he who, in memory of the first Rector, loved and respected by all classes and creeds in the entire Cape, enlarged the church by building a larger chancel and moving the organ to a new position. On November 13th, 1912. In June 1926 the Clergy and Churchwardens invited parishioners and important guests to be present at the Consecration of the New Aisle, Lady Chapel and Vestries by His Grace, Archbishop Carter. When St. John's Church, Strand Street, was pulled down, the Stations of the Cross by van Hove eventually found a new home in the church in Bree Street. The Holy Rood hanging over the transept was the gift of the Moore family in 1930. On Sunday, January 24th, 1899, the completed tower was consecrated by His Grace the Archbishop and the same year he laid the foundation stone of the new Mission School. St. Paul's has been fruitful ground for producing bishops for the Church and the first of these was Lavis who became the Parish Priest after Archdeacon Lightfoot. It was he who, in memory of the first Rector, loved and respected by all classes and creeds in the entire Cape, enlarged the church by building a larger chancel and moving the organ to a new position. On November 13th, 1912. In June 1926 the Clergy and Churchwardens invited parishioners and important guests to be present at the Consecration of the New Aisle, Lady Chapel and Vestries by His Grace, Arch-bishop Carter. When St. John's Church, Strand Street, was pulled down, the Stations of the Cross by van Hove eventually found a new home in the church in Bree Street. The Holy Rood hanging over the transept was the gift of the Moore family in 1930.
SERVICE TIMES

 

 

Sunday

08:00 am
Said Mass

Sunday

09:30 am
Holy Eucharist: Sung Mass (Sunday school)

Wednesday

09:00 am
Said Mass

 

 

CONTACT

Marilyn

Church Secretary

Tel: (021) 423 1568/9
Fax: (021) 4231 580
Email: st.paul@absamail.co.za

    FR. T.M.K. GROEPE

    Parish Rector

    Tel: (021) 424 7769
    Email: karlg@absamail.co.za

      Address:

      182 - 186 Bree Street
      Cape Town