The mother church of the Anglican Diocese of Cape Town, at the top of Wale Street beside the Company's Garden. Neo-gothic, cruciform and built around a courtyard labyrinth, it became known as the People's Cathedral during the struggle against apartheid.
St George's Cathedral stands at 5 Wale Street, at the top end of the Company's Garden. It is the oldest cathedral in southern Africa and the mother church of the Anglican Diocese of Cape Town, with a reach that extends as far north as the Kunene River. The building is neo-gothic and cruciform, arranged around a courtyard garden that holds a labyrinth, with the cathedral offices in cloisters facing the courtyard.
The cathedral became widely known as the People's Cathedral during the apartheid years, when it opened its doors to worshippers of all races and served as a gathering point for peaceful protest. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who was Archbishop of Cape Town from 1986 to 1996, led marches and services from here, and the building remains closely associated with that period.
This is a working church rather than a museum, and it does not publish general visitor hours. Services run through the week. Formal tours lasting about an hour are presented to visiting groups by arrangement, and individuals can telephone the cathedral office in advance to find out when a tour is running that they could join. On the first Thursday of each month there is activity in the cathedral from 17:00 to 20:00, with parishioners on hand to direct visitors.
Highlights
- The oldest cathedral in southern Africa
- Mother church of the Anglican Diocese of Cape Town
- Known as the People's Cathedral during apartheid
- Closely associated with Archbishop Desmond Tutu
- Neo-gothic cruciform building with a courtyard labyrinth
- At the top of the Company's Garden on Wale Street
Tips
Plan around services rather than expecting museum style opening hours, because this is a working church. Telephone the office on 021 424 7360 before you go to check what is open and whether a tour is running. The first Thursday of the month, from 17:00 to 20:00, is a reliable time to find the building active and parishioners on hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost?
Admission information is not published. Visitors are encouraged to contact the cathedral before their visit.
When can I visit?
The cathedral is a working church and does not publish general visitor hours. Services run through the week, and the cathedral office is open from 08:30 to 16:00 Monday to Thursday and 08:30 to 15:00 on Friday. Contact the office on 021 424 7360 before your visit.
When are services held?
On Sunday there is Mass at 07:00, a sung Mass at 09:30 and Evensong at 18:00. During the week the Angelus is said at 12:00 from Monday to Friday, with Mass at 13:15 on Wednesday, 07:15 on Friday and 08:00 on Saturday.
Can I join a guided tour?
Formal tours lasting about an hour are presented to visiting groups by arrangement during the week. Individuals can telephone the cathedral office on 021 424 7360 in advance to find out when tours are taking place that they could join.
What is there to see?
The neo-gothic cruciform interior, the courtyard garden and its labyrinth, and the cathedral's place in the history of the anti-apartheid movement.
