OUR HISTORY – All Souls Church, Northmead

THE CHURCH BUILDING IN THE PARISH OF BENONI

1936

From the ladies guild of St Dunstan’s Benoni, a Northmead Anglican Building Fund was formed under the chairmanship of Mr Fred Adams, son of Mrs C. Adams. The Bumper Fete held at the Voortrekker Hall, raised £ 800. In June 1954 the Family fun Fair was held. This lasted one day and raised £ 1334.00. This Fete was the highlight of our church functions, and was attended by Bishop Ambrose Reeves, Bishop of Johannesburg, under whose episcopate we then fell.

1955

The laying of the foundation stone occurred on the 25th March 1955.

1956

The Dedication of All Souls took place on 25th March 1956, Palm Sunday. This was a wonderful moment for the ambitious folk who had worked so hard for 20 years.

There were times when the committee nearly gave up in despair when every time, owing to rising costs, the money raised was insufficient.

Determined to reach their goal a tremendous drive was made, which was so successful that at last the building was able to start. It even became possible to furnish the church completely and install a small pipe organ.

Photographs courtesy of Dr Mark Greenslade, and the Benoni Then and Now fb site.

THE PARISH OF NORTHMEAD

In the 1990’s Bishop David Beetge, the first Bishop of the Diocese, then still known as the Diocese of the South Eastern Transvaal, constituted All Souls with St John’s Putfontein as a separate parish, no longer part of Benoni (St Dunstan’s). Fr Don Thompson was licensed as the first Priest in Charge, and shortly thereafter became the first Rector. Shortly thereafter, in 1995, St Dunstan’s was constituted as the Cathedral of the Diocese, and Archdeacon David Bannerman became the first Dean.

RECTORS OF NORTHMEAD PARISH

Fr Don Thompson
Fr Gershwin David
Mother Ann McGuiness
Fr Hubby Kekana
vacant – 2022-