Donate to St Mary’s Cathedral Restoration

The Cathedral plays a central role in the Archdiocese. It belongs to all Catholics of Cape Town, who come from different communities and embody a rich diversity of experiences of life and daily challenges. In this diversity it calls us into solidarity and fraternity and is a powerful symbol of unity.

The story of the Cathedral Church of St Mary of the Flight into Egypt in Cape Town is intimately woven into the history of our country and development of the Roman Catholic Church spanning more than 200 years. It is the oldest Catholic cathedral (opened in 1851) in South Africa and is the ‘Mother Church’ of the Cape Town Archdiocese, and of all the Catholic dioceses in South Africa. Located in the heart of the Cape Town, opposite the South African Houses of Parliament, it stands as a powerful witness to the contribution made by the Catholic Church to South Africa’s history and to the Catholic faith in modern day Cape Town.

The Jubilee year with its strong message of renewal, renovation and hope has coincided in a fitting way with the restoration of the Cathedral. In 2000 restoration work was done on the Cathedral and this year the refurbishment will continue with much needed work to preserve the structural integrity of the building.

In 2000, the Cathedral  was restored and refurbished by a leading architectural team. However, the Cathedral’s aging roof and water-sensitive foundations still require urgent attention. Jubilee 2025 is a fitting time for this renovation as an act of hope in the Cathedral’s future.

The Cathedral’s asbestos roof has reached the end of its lifespan. There are also holes in it, causing water leaks. The water spreaders, down pipes and water collection points all need to be renewed and made more efficient. Wet winters expose the inadequacy of the of the antiquated system.

Moreover, with Table Mountain’s many natural runoff streams, water also leaks through the Cathedral floor. As the water table rises, so water seeps up through the flagstones and stone foundations into the Cathedral itself.

Finally, some minor repairs must be made before the Cathedral is repainted. As there is no modern dampcourse in the old Cathedral’s walls and floor, a highly specialised paint is necessary.

The height and age of the Cathedral make this refurbishment an expensive and complex task. The roof refurbishment and exterior painting will be dealt with simultaneously but will require that the Cathedral be closed for a number of months, beginning in September 2025.

Much will depend on receiving requisite permissions (including permission from the heritage authority) and sufficient funding. Your support and donations are vital to this important project.