New Apostolic Church Cape

75th Anniversary of Zonnebloem Congregation 28 March 1931 - 2006

The celebration for this prestigious event took place over three days.

Saturday 18th March
An open day with video and photo display followed by fellowship from l0am - 15h00.

Sunday 19th March
A divine service conducted by Bishop Willoughby, text used: Psalm 107 vs 1.

Tuesday 28th March
A concert in our church, followed by a dinner at Holy Cross Hall.

The Rector Shepherd K. Scott approached the leaders of churches and mosques in the area as well as school principals (about 20 persons) and invited them to the concert and dinner. Of these guests seven attended.

Here are the names of guests and some of their comments.

Father J. Oliver (St. Marks Anglican) suggested that we form a committee of religious leaders in our area. He also assisted Shepherd Scott in making contact with the mosques and other church leaders in the inviting of our guests.

Father M. Da Silvia {Nile St. Catholic Church) has requested our help in providing music education for his parish.

Father M. Weeder (St. Phillips- Anglican Church) made a request that our choir assist them on the occasion of their 90th Anniversary in October 2006.

Sheik Keraan (leader of the District Six Mosque) expressed his thankfulness to be part of such a celebration and looked forward to having a more meaningful relationship with the church leaders of District Six.

Mr John Ramsdale (Warden at Zonnebloem College) represented the school and was very impressed with the singing.

As part of the address at the dinner it was mentioned that in 1966, District Six was declared a white area and by 1982, 60,000 people had been relocated to other areas on the Cape Flats. Bulldozers, with the exception of places of worship, then flattened District Six.

According to the archives of District Six, The Holy Cross Church played an important role in the struggle to save the area. Special mention was made of key figures in the struggle such as: Father Basil Van Rensburg (parish priest at The Holy Cross Church), Cardinal Owen McCann (the then archbishop of Cape Town), Anglican Archbishop Van Der Byl and Sheik Nazeem Mohammed (City Councilor, head of the Muslim Judicial Council). That we have our religious places of worship today is to a great degree due to the efforts of these men - and to them we want to say "Thank You".

Thus, these memorable events formed part of 75 years of blessing at Zonnebloem congregation, formerly known as Virginia Street.