Welcome to the Website of Grahamstown Cathedral, Makhanda!
Come in, browse around, make yourself at home! From contact details of the Cathedral staff to lists of forthcoming Sunday services, interesting information about our beautiful building, and lots of news (and archived news) of People and Places connected to the Cathedral family – it’s all here. Click on ‘Videos’ on the side menu to hear some of the music of Grahamstown Cathedral.
Articles from this website may be quoted if author and Grahamstown Cathedral Website are acknowledged.
Visit and subscribe to our YouTube channel
Follow and like us on Facebook
Latest News
Mzinzisi Dyantyi licensed as Dean of Grahamstown, 24 April
On Saturday 24 April the Cathedral had the joy of welcoming our new Dean, Mzinzisi Dyantyi, when he was licensed and installed by the Bishop of Grahamstown, Ebenezer Ntlali. We praise God for this wonderful service, and ask the Lord’s blessing on the ministry of Dean Mzinzisi and Sub-Dean Melany Adonis.
For more pictures, see our Gallery.
Meet the new Dean of Grahamstown, Mzinzisi Dyantyi
Mzinzisi Dyantyi, the new Dean of Grahamstown, is seen here with his wife Lilitha, son Samila (4) and daughter Sambesiwe (7).
Canon Melany Adonis is the new Sub-Dean and Chancellor of the Cathedral. May God bless Mzi, Melany, and their families in this new and exciting stage of their ministry!
Kutlwano Kepadisa appointed Cathedral Director of Music and Precentor
Kutlwano Kepadisa
After the Parish Council had met on Wednesday evening, 27 January, for the last time in Andrew Hunter’s tenure as Dean, he announced the appointment of Kutlwano Kepadisa as Director of Music of the Cathedral. Kutlwano (Kepa) has been acting as Director of Music for some months, and was also in charge of the Cathedral music for two years from 2017-2019, after the departure of Dr Andrew-John Bethke. Trained initially by Dr Bethke as a Choir Intern, Kepa has worked tirelessly to develop his talents as a choir director. To judge by the outpouring of delighted congratulations on Facebook from parishioners and friends near and far, this appointment is extremely popular, and Kepa should be able to depend on support from the parish and beyond. At the live-streamed Eucharist service on Sunday 31 January, Dean Andrew announced that in addition to being Director of Music, he had appointed Kepa Cathedral Precentor. We congratulate him, and ask God’s blessing on him in this new field of work.
Kutlwano Kepadisa succeeds Cameron Luke, who joined us in April 2019. A brilliant organist, he brought many gifts and talents to the Cathedral and the choir. We thank him for all that he has contributed to the life of the Cathedral.
Cathedral choristers wanted!
The Imvumi (singers) section of the choir is looking for young singers to join our music ministry. Singers from Grade 5 to Grade 10 are encouraged to come try out for the choir. Interested singers/parents must contact Mr Kutlwano Kepadisa at 078 869 0880 (Whatsapp) to book their audition slot.
Cathedral open for Sunday morning worship
The Cathedral has been open again for worship since Sunday 14 February. There are two morning services each Sunday in the Cathedral, Holy Communion at 07:30 and Sung Eucharist at 09:30 a.m.
Under the current adjusted Level One regulations, no more than 250 persons will be allowed in the Cathedral at a time. All Covid-19 regulations to be observed. Communion will be in one kind (i.e. wafers only).
The 09:30 Eucharist services are also streamed live on our Facebook page.
For details of other live-streamed services, see our Worship page.
Farewell to Chris Mann, Artist-in-Residence
Chris Mann, poet and troubadour, one of the Cathedral’s Artists-in-Residence, died at home of cancer on 10 March. Over the years we have valued his poems, his songs, and those amazing collaborative multi-media shows produced for successive Spiritfests with his wife and fellow Artist-in-Residence Julia Skeen. His faith breathed easily through his art, an unforced, natural witness. We give thanks for his incalculable contribution to this city and this worshipping fellowship, mourn his passing, and pray for Julia and the family.
Chris Mann’s funeral took take place in the Cathedral on Friday 19 March at 10:30. Due to Covid-19 regulations, numbers present were limited to 100, but the service was streamed live, and recorded. It is still available to be watched here.
For more about Artists-in-Residence, and poems by Chris, see Our Artists page.
Visitors welcome
The Cathedral is open for visitors and private prayer during the Verger’s working hours, i.e. 9-12 and 1-3 on weekdays, and 9-12 on Saturdays. Please wear masks.
The Cathedral Office is open from 8—4:30 (closed for lunch 1—2). All visitors to the office are asked to wear masks, complete a register and sanitise their hands on entry. Sanitiser is provided.
South African Council of Churches Guidelines on Funerals in a time of pandemic
The SACC has produced a useful summary of the Government regulations covering funerals during the coronavirus pandemic. It can be accessed in poster form here.
This is part of the website which the SACC developed, which contains a range of useful, and accurate content on the Coronavirus pandemic. These can be downloaded and shared in all 11 languages. It also includes links to other useful resources.
Beyond general information on the virus, the SACC will provide information on the particular challenges faced by churches at this time. New content will be added regularly. It is work in progress and will improve with time.
Requests for information to be added on the site can be sent to info@coronachurch.org.za
Please share this resource widely.
Anglican Consultative Council passes Environment resolution
The Anglican Consultative Council, meeting in Hong Kong in May, passed an important resolution on the environment. The resolution recognised that there is a global climate emergency and requested that churches develop action plans and resources for sustainable living. Read more…
Cathedral Vision
We believe we are called to be a vibrant, attractive, diverse, welcoming, all age community of people who seek to follow Christ.
The Cathedral’s ministry seeks at all times to be obedient to the call of God through Jesus Christ.
Key Performance Areas
- Worship
- Pastoral care and building community
- Families, children and young people
- Teaching, discipleship and evangelism
- Mission, ministry and outreach
- Administration, communication and oversight
- Cathedral plant and physical environment
- Dedication and stewardship
Donations
to the Cathedral ministry
Cathedral of St Michael & St George
Current Account, First National Bank, Grahamstown
Account Number: 52320792164
If you would like to make a promise to contribute regularly to the ministry of the Cathedral, you can download a Pledge Form here.
Zapper QR Code:
Latest Publications
ACSA Covid Guidelines for Services and Meetings under Adjusted Level 3, February 2021
On 3 February 2021, the Anglican Church of Southern Africa issued important Guidelines for services and meetings under the newly adjusted Level Three of lockdown. To download the document, click here.
By Archbishop Thabo Makgoba
Pastoral Letter concerning Easter and Covid-19
On 24 March 2021 the Archbishop wrote:
Dear People of God
With Easter approaching and scientists and government officials in South Africa warning against a “third wave” of coronavirus, our Covid-19 Provincial Advisory Team and I are anxious that the Church at all levels should be extra-cautious to keep every member of our congregations safe over the next few weeks… read more.
Ad Laos – to the People of God
On 2 January 2021 the Archbishop posted a Message for Epiphany.
Important Guidelines – Second Wave of the Coronavirus
On 19 December 2020 the Archbishop wrote commending an important report and recommendations from the Provincial Covid Advisory Team.
ACSA 150th Anniversary Appeal
“Our 150th anniversary is indeed a momentous milestone, and as we look back over the decades we can see that what has been achieved is nothing short of God-inspired” wrote the Archbishop on 10 October 2020 – read more…
Statement on transforming Anglican schools
The Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA) acknowledges the anger of some in our schools who have once again challenged the church to face the pain of experiences of racism and of feeling that they do not belong. read more…
Transform our corruption-fighting agencies!
Speaking at a service on Sunday 30 August 2020 to launch the South African Council of Churches Anti-Corruption Campaign, the Archbishop added to voice to the service of lament and protest, and supported September as a month of church action against corruption. Read full text of his contribution here.
Call for ANC’s ‘Corrupt bigwigs’ to return ‘stolen treasures’
On 26 August 2020 the Archbishop made the call in a message recorded to support a new anti-corruption campaign launched by the SA Council of Churches, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, the Foundation for Human Rights and the Council for the Advancement of the SA Constitution.
From the Bishop of Grahamstown
Ad Clerum from Bishop Ebenezer Ntlali
Ad Clerum, January to March 2021
Lenten Message from Bishop Ebenezer Ntlali
The Bishop’s Message for Lent 2021.
Statement from the Chapter of the Diocese
On 6 February 2020, the Cathedral Chapter of the Diocese of Grahamstown issued the following statement:
We as the Cathedral Chapter of the diocese of Grahamstown are aware of the widespread concern and anger following the arrest of a member of our church, and his subsequent court appearance on charges of sexual assault. Read more…
Please use the Coronavirus Prayer.
The Growing the Church Offices will be closed due to the Coronavirus lockdown. You will be able to communicate with us via email: office@growingthechurch.org.za or trevor@growingthechurch.org.za You may WhatsApp or SMS us on our cell numbers: Trevor 084 202 5298 and Estelle 072 676 9437.
For further publications of the ACSA and the Diocese of Grahamstown visit our Publications page.